Terrylene and Quaterrylene Derivatives

ABSTRACT

Rylene derivatives of the general formula I 
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
     
     in which the variables are each defined as follows:
     X are joined to one another with formation of a six-membered ring to give a radical of the formula (a), (b) or (c)   

     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
         
         
           
             are both a —COOM radical; 
             are both hydrogen or one of the two radicals is hydrogen and the other radical is halogen or a radical of the formula (d) 
           
         
       
    
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
         
         Y are joined to one another with formation of a six-membered ring to give a radical of the formula (a) when one of the two X radicals is hydrogen and the other X radical is halogen or a radical of the formula (d) or when both X radicals are hydrogen or together are a radical of the formula (a), (b) or (c);
       are joined to one another with formation of a six-membered ring to give a radical of the formula (b) when one of the two X radicals is hydrogen and the other X radical is halogen or a radical of the formula (d) or when both X radicals are hydrogen or a —COOM radical or together are a radical of the formula (c);   are joined to one another with formation of a six-membered ring to give a radical of the formula (c) when one of the two X radicals is hydrogen and the other X radical is halogen or a radical of the formula (d) or when both X radicals are hydrogen or a —COOM radical or together are a radical of the formula (c) which may be arranged in the cis or trans position to the other (c) radical;   are both a —COOM radical when one of the two X radicals is hydrogen and the other X radical is halogen or a radical of the formula (d) or when both X radicals are hydrogen or a —COOM radical, M being different from hydrogen in the case that one X radical is a radical of the formula (d);   are both hydrogen or one of the two radicals is hydrogen and the other radical is halogen or a radical of the formula (d) when both X radicals are hydrogen or one of the two X radicals is hydrogen and the other X radical is halogen or a radical of the formula (d);   
     
         R are identical or different radicals:
       substituted or unsubstituted aryloxy, arylthio, hetaryloxy or hetarylthio;   
     
         R′ is hydrogen; substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl or hetaryl; 
         A are each independently substituted or unsubstituted phenylene, naphthylene or pyridylene; 
         M is hydrogen, ammonium or alkali metal cation; 
         R″ are each independently hydrogen, alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl or hetaryl, or are joined together with formation of a 5- to 7-membered, fused or unfused and substituted or unsubstituted ring comprising the two oxygen atoms and also the boron atom; 
         R 1  is hydrogen or alkyl, where the R 1  radicals may be the same or different when they occur more than once; 
         R 2 , R 3  are each independently hydrogen; substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, aryl or hetaryl; 
         m is 1 or 2; 
         n is from 3 to 6 where m=1; 
         is from 2 to 8 where m=2,
 
and mixtures thereof.

The present invention relates to novel rylene derivatives of the general formula I

in which the variables are each defined as follows:

-   X are joined to one another with formation of a six-membered ring to     give a radical of the formula (a), (b) or (c)

-   -   are both a —COOM radical;     -   are both hydrogen or one of the two radicals is hydrogen and the         other radical is halogen or a radical of the formula (d)

-   Y are joined to one another with formation of a six-membered ring to     give a radical of the formula (a) when one of the two X radicals is     hydrogen and the other X radical is halogen or a radical of the     formula (d) or when both X radicals are hydrogen or together are a     radical of the formula (a), (b) or (c);     -   are joined to one another with formation of a six-membered ring         to give a radical of the formula (b) when one of the two X         radicals is hydrogen and the other X radical is halogen or a         radical of the formula (d) or when both X radicals are hydrogen         or a —COOM radical or together are a radical of the formula (c);     -   are joined to one another with formation of a six-membered ring         to give a radical of the formula (c) when one of the two X         radicals is hydrogen and the other X radical is halogen or a         radical of the formula (d) or when both X radicals are hydrogen         or a —COOM radical or together are a radical of the formula (c)         which may be arranged in the cis or trans position to the         other (c) radical;     -   are both a —COOM radical when one of the two X radicals is         hydrogen and the other X radical is halogen or a radical of the         formula (d) or when both X radicals     -   are hydrogen or a —COOM radical, M being different from hydrogen         in the case that one X radical is a radical of the formula (d);     -   are both hydrogen or one of the two radicals is hydrogen and the         other radical is halogen or a radical of the formula (d) when         both X radicals are hydrogen or one of the two X radicals is         hydrogen and the other X radical is halogen or a radical of the         formula (d); -   R are identical or different radicals:     -   aryloxy, arylthio, hetaryloxy or hetarylthio, to each of which         may be fused further saturated or unsaturated 5- to 7-membered         rings whose carbon skeleton may be interrupted by one or more         —O—, —S—, —NR¹—, —N═CR¹—, —CO—, —SO— and/or —SO₂— moieties,         where the entire ring system may be mono- or polysubstituted by         the (i), (ii), (iii), (iv) and/or (v) radicals:     -   (i) C₁-C₃₀-alkyl whose carbon chain may be interrupted by one or         more —O—, —S—, —NR¹—, —N═CR¹—, —C≡C—, —CR¹═CR¹—, —CO—, —SO—         and/or —SO₂— moieties and which may be mono- or polysubstituted         by: C₁-C₁₂-alkoxy, C₁-C₆-alkylthio, —C≡CR¹, —CR¹═CR¹ ₂,         hydroxyl, mercapto, halogen, cyano, nitro, —NR²R³, —NR²COR³,         —CONR²R³, —SO₂NR²R³, —COOR², —SO₃R², —PR²R³, —POR²R³, aryl         and/or saturated or unsaturated C₄-C₇-cycloalkyl whose carbon         skeleton may be interrupted by one or more —O—, —S—, —NR¹—,         —N═CR¹—, —CR¹═CR¹—, —CO—, —SO— and/or —SO₂— moieties, where the         aryl and cycloalkyl radicals may each be mono- or         polysubstituted by C₁-C₁₈-alkyl and/or the above radicals         specified as substituents for alkyl;     -   (ii) C₃-C₈-cycloalkyl whose carbon skeleton may be interrupted         by one or more —O—, —S—, —NR¹—, —N═CR¹—, —CR¹═CR¹—, —CO—, —SO—         and/or —SO₂— moieties and to which may be fused further         saturated or unsaturated 5- to 7-membered rings whose carbon         skeleton may be interrupted by one or more —O—, —S—, —NR¹—,         —N═CR¹—, —CR¹═CR¹—, —CO—, —SO— and/or —SO₂— moieties, where the         entire ring system may be mono- or polysubstituted by:         C₁-C₁₈-alkyl, C₁-C₁₂-alkoxy, C₁-C₆-alkylthio, —C≡CR¹, —CR¹═CR¹         ₂, hydroxyl, mercapto, halogen, cyano, nitro, —NR²R³, —NR²COR³,         —CONR²R³, —SO₂NR²R³, —COOR², —SO₃R², —PR²R³ and/or —POR²R³;     -   (iii) aryl or hetaryl to which may be fused further saturated or         unsaturated 5- to 7-membered rings whose carbon skeleton may be         interrupted by one or more —O—, —S—, —NR¹—, —N═CR¹—, —CR¹═CR¹—,         —CO—, —SO— and/or —SO₂— moieties, where the entire ring system         may be mono- or polysubstituted by: C₁-C₁₈-alkyl, C₁-C₁₂-alkoxy,         C₁-C₆-alkylthio, —C≡CR¹, —CR¹═CR¹ ₂, hydroxyl, mercapto,         halogen, cyano, nitro, —NR²R³, —NR²COR³, —CONR²R³, —SO₂NR²R³,         —COOR², —SO₃R², —PR²R³, —POR²R³, aryl and/or hetaryl, each of         which may be mono- or polysubstituted by C₁-C₁₈-alkyl,         C₁-C₁₂-alkoxy, hydroxyl, mercapto, halogen, cyano, nitro,         —NR²R³, —NR²COR³, —CONR²R³, —SO₂NR²R³, —COOR², —SO₃R², —PR²R³         and/or —POR²R³;     -   (iv) a —U-aryl radical which may be mono- or polysubstituted by         the above radicals specified as substituents for the aryl         radicals (iii), where U is a —O—, —S—, —NR¹—, —CO—, —SO— or         —SO₂— moiety;     -   (v) C₁-C₁₂-alkoxy, C₁-C₆-alkylthio, —C≡CR¹, —CR¹═CR¹ ₂,         hydroxyl, mercapto, halogen, cyano, nitro, —NR²R³, —NR²COR³,         —CONR²R³, —SO₂NR²R³, —COOR², —SO₃R², —PR²R³ and/or —POR²R³; -   R′ is hydrogen;     -   C₁-C₃₀-alkyl whose carbon chain may be interrupted by one or         more —O—, —S—, —NR¹—, —N═CR¹—, —C≡C—, —CR¹═CR¹—, —CO—, —SO—         and/or —SO₂— moieties and which may be mono- or polysubstituted         by the (ii), (iii), (iv) and/or (v) radicals specified as         substituents for the R radicals;     -   C₃-C₈-cycloalkyl to which may be fused further saturated or         unsaturated 5- to 7-membered rings whose carbon skeleton may be         interrupted by one or more —O—, —S—, —NR¹—, —N═CR¹—, —CR¹═CR¹—,         —CO—, —SO— and/or —SO₂— moieties, where the entire ring system         may be substituted by the (i), (ii), (iii), (iv) and/or (v)         radicals specified as substituents for the R radicals;     -   aryl or hetaryl to which may be fused further saturated or         unsaturated 5- to 7-membered rings whose carbon skeleton may be         interrupted by one or more —O—, —S—, —NR¹—, —N═CR¹—, —CR¹═CR¹—,         —CO—, —SO— and/or —SO₂— moieties, where the entire ring system         may be mono- or polysubstituted by the (i), (ii), (iii),         (iv), (v) radicals specified as substituents for the R radicals,         and/or aryl- and/or hetarylazo, each of which may be mono- or         polysubstituted by C₁-C₁₀-alkyl, C₁-C₆-alkoxy and/or cyano; -   A is in each case independently phenylene, naphthylene or     pyridylene, each of which may be mono- or polysubstituted by     C₁-C₁₂-alkyl, C₁-C₆-alkoxy, hydroxyl, nitro and/or halogen; -   M is hydrogen, ammonium or alkali metal cation; -   R″ is in each case independently hydrogen, C₁-C₃₀-alkyl,     C₅-C₈-cycloalkyl, aryl or hetaryl or, joined together with formation     of a 5-membered ring which comprises the two oxygen atoms and also     the boron atom, which may be substituted on the carbon atoms by up     to 4 C₁-C₃₀-alkyl, C₅-C₈-cycloalkyl, aryl and/or hetaryl groups; -   R¹ is hydrogen or C₁-C₁₈-alkyl, where the R¹ radicals may be the     same or different when they occur more than once; -   R², R³ are each independently hydrogen;     -   C₁-C₁₈-alkyl whose carbon chain may be interrupted by one or         more —O—, —S—, —CO—, —SO— and/or —SO₂— moieties and which may be         mono- or polysubstituted by C₁-C₁₂-alkoxy, C₁-C₆-alkylthio,         hydroxyl, mercapto, halogen, cyano, nitro and/or —COOR¹;     -   aryl or hetaryl to each of which may be fused further saturated         or unsaturated 5- to 7-membered rings whose carbon skeleton may         be interrupted by one or more —O—, —S—, —CO— and/or —SO₂—         moieties, where the entire ring system may be mono- or         polysubstituted by C₁-C₁₂-alkyl and/or the above radicals         specified as substituents for alkyl; -   m is 1 or 2; -   n is from 3 to 6 where m=1;     -   is from 2 to 8 where m=2,         and mixtures thereof.

The invention further relates to the preparation of the rylene derivatives I and to their use for coloring high molecular weight organic and inorganic materials, for producing aqueous polymer dispersions which absorb in the near infrared region of the electromagnetic spectrum, for obtaining markings and inscriptions which absorb infrared light and are invisible to the human eye, as infrared absorbers for heat management, as IR laser beam-absorbing materials in the fusion treatment of plastics parts, as semiconductors in organic electronics, as emitters in electro- and chemiluminescence applications, and also as active components in photovoltaics.

Compounds which absorb in the near infrared region of the electromagnetic spectrum are of increasing interest for a multitude of applications. One class of such organic compounds is that of polycyclic conjugated aromatic ring systems based on rylene.

Molecules known to date on the basis of the higher rylenes of particular interest are unsubstituted and tetra- and hexa-halo-substituted and tetra- and hexa-aroxy-substituted quaterrylenetetracarboximides (EP-A-596 292 or WO-A-96/22332 and WO-A-02/76988), unsubstituted and peri-halogenated terrylene and quaterrylenedicarboximides (WO-A-02/66438), and also unsubstituted and tetra-halo- and -aroxy-substituted terrylenetetracarboximides (WO-A-03/104232).

It was an object of the invention to provide further compounds which absorb in the wavelength range from 550 to 900 nm and feature advantageous performance properties, and are in particular functionalized such that they are adapted in a controlled manner to the desired end use or else can be converted to compounds absorbing at even longer wavelengths.

Accordingly, the terrylene and quaterrylene derivatives of the formula I defined at the outset have been found.

Preferred definitions of the variables occurring in formula I can be taken from the subclaims.

The terrylene derivatives I may have from 3 to 6 substituents R; they are preferably tetrasubstituted by substituents in the 1,6,9,14 arrangement.

The quaterrylene derivatives I may bear from 3 to 8 substituents R; they are preferably tetrasubstituted in the 1,6,11,16 arrangement or hexasubstituted in the 1,6,8,11,16,18 or 1,6,8,11,16,19 arrangement.

In general, both the terrylene derivatives and the quaterrylene derivatives I are obtained in the form of mixtures of products with different degrees of substitution, in which the tetrasubstituted product, or else the hexasubstituted product for the quaterrylene derivatives, makes up the majority in each case.

Also found has been a process for preparing rylenetetracarboxylic monoimide monoanhydrides of the general formula Ia

which comprises

-   a) subjecting a rylenetetracarboximide of the general formula II

-   -   to a hydrolysis under alkaline conditions in the presence of a         polar organic solvent and removing the rylenetetracarboxylic         monoimide monoanhydride Ia from the rylenetetracarboxylic         dianhydride Ib which is likewise formed or

-   b) hydrolyzing the rylenetetracarboximide II by use of mild reaction     conditions directly, substantially singly, to the     rylenetetracarboxylic monoimide monoanhydride Ia.

Also found has been a process for preparing rylenetetracarboxylic dianhydrides of the general formula Ib

which comprises

-   a) subjecting a rylenetetracarboximide of the general formula II

-   -   to a hydrolysis under alkaline conditions in the presence of a         polar organic solvent and removing the rylenetetracarboxylic         dianhydride Ib from the rylenetetracarboxylic monoimide         monoanhydride Ia which is likewise formed     -   or

-   b) hydrolyzing the rylenetetracarboximide II by use of more severe     reaction conditions directly, substantially on both sides, to the     rylenetetracarboxylic dianhydride Ib.

Additionally found has been a process for preparing rylenedicarboximides of the general formula Ic

which comprises

-   a) subjecting a rylenetetracarboxylic monoimide monoanhydride of the     general formula Ia

-   -   or

-   b) subjecting the mixture, obtained in the alkaline hydrolysis of a     rylenetetracarboximide of the general formula II

-   -   of rylenetetracarboxylic monoimide monoanhydride Ia and         rylenetetracarboxylic dianhydride Ib     -   to a decarboxylation in the presence of a tertiary         nitrogen-basic compound as a solvent and of a transition metal         catalyst, and, in case b), separating the rylenedicarboximide Ic         from the fully decarboxylated rylene Id which likewise forms.

Also found has been a process for preparing rylenes of the general formula Id

which comprises

-   a) subjecting a rylenetetracarboxylic dianhydride of the general     formula Ib

-   -   or

-   b) subjecting the mixture, obtained in the alkaline hydrolysis of a     rylenetetracarboximide of the general formula II

-   -   of rylenetetracarboxylic monoimide monoanhydride Ia and         rylenetetracarboxylic dianhydride Ib     -   to a decarboxylation in the presence of a tertiary         nitrogen-basic compound as a solvent and of a transition metal         catalyst, and, in case b), separating the rylene Id from the         rylenedicarboximide Ic which likewise forms.

Additionally found has been a process for preparing peri-halogenated rylenedicarboximides of the general formula Ie

in which Hal is halogen, which comprises

-   a) reacting a rylenedicarboximide of the general formula Ic

-   -   or

-   b) reacting the mixture of rylenedicarboximide Ic and rylene Id     which is obtained in the decarboxylation of the mixture, obtained in     the alkaline hydrolysis of the rylenetetracarboximide of the general     formula II

-   -   of rylenetetracarboxylic monoimide monoanhydride Ia and         rylenetetracarboxylic dianhydride Ib,     -   in the presence of a polar organic solvent and of a Lewis acid         as a catalyst, with from 1 to 6 mol of N-halosuccinimide per         halogen atom to be introduced, and, in case b), separating the         peri-halogenated rylenedicarboximide Ie from the likewise         halogenated rylene If.

Also found has been a process for preparing halogenated rylenes of the general formula If

in which Hal is halogen, Z¹ and Z² are each hydrogen or one of the two Z¹ and Z² radicals is halogen and the other radical is hydrogen, which comprises

-   a) reacting a rylene of the general formula Id

-   -   in the presence of a polar organic solvent and of a Lewis acid         as a catalyst

-   a1) directly with the amount, required to introduce the total number     of halogen atoms desired, of from 1 to 6 mol of N-halosuccinimide     per halogen atom to be introduced     -   or

-   a2) first with from 1 to 3 mol/mol of N-halosuccinimide to give the     monohalogenated rylene If (Z¹=Z²=H) and then with a further from 1     to 6 mol/mol of N-halosuccinimide to give the dihalogenated rylene     If (Z¹ or Z²=halogen)     -   or

-   b) reacting the mixture of rylenedicarboximide Ic and rylene Id     which is obtained in the decarboxylation of the mixture, obtained in     the alkaline hydrolysis of the rylenetetracarboximide of the general     formula II

-   -   of rylenetetracarboxylic monoimide monoanhydride Ia and         rylenetetracarboxylic dianhydride Ib,     -   in the presence of a polar organic solvent and of a Lewis acid         as a catalyst

-   b1) directly with the amount, required to introduce the total number     of halogen atoms desired, of from 1 to 6 mol of N-halosuccinimide     per halogen atom to be introduced     -   or

-   b2) first with from 1 to 3 mol of N-halosuccinimide per mole of Ic     and Id and separating the monohalogenated rylene If (Z¹=Z²=H) from     the peri-halogenated rylenedicarboximide Ie which is likewise formed     and then reacting with a further from 1 to 6 mol/mol of     N-halosuccinimide to give the dihalogenated rylene If (Z¹ or     Z²=halogen).

Finally found has been a process for preparing rylenedicarboxylic anhydrides Igh

in which Z is hydrogen or halogen, which comprises subjecting a rylenedicarboximide of the general formula Ice

to a hydrolysis under alkaline conditions in the presence of a polar organic solvent.

Also found has been a process for preparing peri-halogenated rylenedicarboxylic anhydrides Ih

in which Hal is halogen, which comprises reacting a rylenedicarboxylic anhydride of the general formula Ig

with N-halosuccinimide in the presence of a polar organic solvent and of a Lewis acid.

Additionally found has been a process for preparing peri-(dioxaborolan-2-yl)rylenedicarboximides of the general formula II

which comprises reacting a peri-halogenated rylenedicarboximide of the general formula Ie

in which Hal is halogen, in the presence of an aprotic organic solvent, of a transition metal catalyst and of a base, with a diborane of the general formula III

Also found has been a process for preparing substituted rylenes of the general formula Ij

in which D¹ and D² are each hydrogen or one of the two D¹ and D² radicals is halogen or a radical of the formula (d)

and the other radical is hydrogen, which comprises

-   a) to prepare mono(dioxaborolan-2-yl)rylenes Ij (D¹=D²=H), reacting     a halorylene of the general formula If

-   -   in which Z¹ and Z² are each hydrogen,     -   or

-   b) to prepare bis(dioxaborolan-2-yl)rylenes Ij (one of the two D¹     and D² radicals is a (d) radical and the other radical is hydrogen)     or mixed-substituted rylenes Ij (one of the two D¹ and D² radicals     is halogen and the other radical is hydrogen), reacting a halorylene     of the formula If

-   -   in which one of the two Z¹ and Z² radicals is halogen and the         other radical is hydrogen,     -   in the presence of an aprotic organic solvent, of a transition         metal catalyst and of a base, with the amount, required to         introduce the total number of dioxaborolan-2-yl radicals         desired, of from 1 to 3 mol, or, in the case of the         mixed-substituted rylenes Ij, from 1 to 1.5 mol, of a diborane         of the general formula III

-   -   per mole of dioxaborolan-2-yl radical to be introduced.

Finally found has been a process for preparing peri-(dioxaborolan-2-yl)rylenedicarboxylic anhydrides of the general formula Ik

which comprises reacting a peri-halogenated rylenedicarboxylic anhydride of the general formula Ih

in which Hal is halogen, in the presence of an aprotic organic solvent, of a transition metal catalyst and of a base, with a diborane of the general formula III

Additionally found has been a process for preparing symmetrical rylenetetracarboxylic acid derivatives of the general formula Im_(cis) or Im_(trans)

where the two A radicals are identical, or a mixture of the two isomers, which comprises condensing a rylenetetracarboxylic dianhydride of the general formula Ib

in the presence of a nitrogen-basic compound or of phenol as a solvent and of a Lewis acid, or of piperazine as a catalyst, with from 2 to 3 mol/mol of an aromatic diamine of the general formula IV

H₂N-A-NH₂  IV

Also found has been a process for preparing unsymmetrical rylenetetracarboxylic acid derivatives of the general formula Im′_(cis) or Im′_(trans)

or a mixture of the two isomers, which comprises condensing a rylenetetracarboxylic dianhydride of the general formula Ib

in the presence of a nitrogen-basic compound or of phenol as a solvent and of a Lewis acid or of piperazine as a catalyst, first with from 1 to 1.5 mol/mol of an aromatic diamine of the general formula IV

H₂N-A-NH₂  IV

and then with from 1 to 1.5 mol/mol of an aromatic diamine of the general formula IV′

H₂N-A′-NH₂  IV′

Additionally found has been a process for preparing rylenetetracarboxylic acid derivatives of the general formula In

which comprises condensing a rylenetetracarboxylic dianhydride of the general formula Ib

in the presence of a nitrogen-basic compound or of phenol as a solvent and of a Lewis acid or of piperazine as a catalyst, with from 1 to 1.5 mol/mol of an aromatic diamine of the general formula IV

H₂N-A-NH₂  IV

Also found has been a process for preparing rylenetetracarboxylic acid derivatives of the general formula Io

which comprises condensing a rylenetetracarboxylic monoimide monoanhydride of the general formula Ia

in the presence of a nitrogen-basic compound or of phenol as a solvent and of a Lewis acid or of piperazine as a catalyst, with from 1 to 1.5 mol/mol of an aromatic diamine of the general formula IV

H₂N-A-NH₂  IV

Also found has been a process for preparing rylenedicarboxylic acid derivatives of the general formula Ip

which comprises

-   a) subjecting a rylenetetracarboxylic acid derivative of the general     formula In

-   -   to a decarboxylation in the presence of a tertiary         nitrogen-basic compound and of a transition metal catalyst     -   or

-   b) condensing a rylenedicarboxylic anhydride of the general formula     Ig

-   -   in the presence of a nitrogen-basic compound or of phenol as a         solvent and of a Lewis acid or of piperazine as a catalyst, with         from 1 to 1.5 mol/mol of an aromatic diamine of the general         formula IV

H₂N-A-NH₂  IV

Additionally found has been a process for preparing peri-halogenated rylenedicarboxylic acid derivatives of the general formula Iq

which comprises reacting a rylenedicarboxylic acid derivative of the general formula Ip

with N-halosuccinimide in the presence of a polar organic solvent and of a Lewis acid

Finally found has been a process for preparing peri-(dioxaborolan-2-yl)rylenedicarboxylic acid derivatives of the general formula Ir

which comprises reacting a peri-halogenated rylenedicarboxylic acid derivative of the general formula Iq

in which Hal is halogen, in the presence of an aprotic organic solvent, of a transition metal catalyst and of a base, with a diborane of the general formula III

Specific examples of the R, R′, R″, R¹ to R³ radicals mentioned in the formulae and their substituents are as follows:

methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, tert-butyl, pentyl, isopentyl, neopentyl, tert-pentyl, hexyl, 2-methylpentyl, heptyl, 1-ethylpentyl, octyl, 2-ethylhexyl, isooctyl, nonyl, isononyl, decyl, isodecyl, undecyl, dodecyl, tridecyl, isotridecyl, tetradecyl, pentadecyl, hexadecyl, heptadecyl, octadecyl, nonadecyl and eicosyl (the above terms isooctyl, isononyl, isodecyl and isotridecyl are trivial terms and stem from the alcohols obtained by the oxo process);

2-methoxyethyl, 2-ethoxyethyl, 2-propoxyethyl, 2-isopropoxyethyl, 2-butoxyethyl, 2- and 3-methoxypropyl, 2- and 3-ethoxypropyl, 2- and 3-propoxypropyl, 2- and 3-butoxypropyl, 2- and 4-methoxybutyl, 2- and 4-ethoxybutyl, 2- and 4-propoxybutyl, 3,6-dioxaheptyl, 3,6-dioxaoctyl, 4,8-dioxanonyl, 3,7-dioxaoctyl, 3,7-dioxanonyl, 4,7-dioxaoctyl, 4,7-dioxanonyl, 2- and 4-butoxybutyl, 4,8-dioxadecyl, 3,6,9-trioxadecyl, 3,6,9-trioxaundecyl, 3,6,9-trioxadodecyl, 3,6,9,12-tetraoxamidecyl and 3,6,9,12-tetra-oxatetradecyl;

2-methylthioethyl, 2-ethylthioethyl, 2-propylthioethyl, 2-isopropylthioethyl, 2-butylthioethyl, 2- and 3-methylthiopropyl, 2- and 3-ethylthiopropyl, 2- and 3-propylthiopropyl, 2- and 3-butylthiopropyl, 2- and 4-methylthiobutyl, 2- and 4-ethyl-thiobutyl, 2- and 4-propylthiobutyl, 3,6-dithiaheptyl, 3,6-dithiaoctyl, 4,8-dithianonyl, 3,7-dithiaoctyl, 3,7-dithianonyl, 2- and 4-butylthiobutyl, 4,8-dithiadecyl, 3,6,9-tri-thiadecyl, 3,6,9-trithiaundecyl, 3,6,9-trithiadodecyl, 3,6,9,12-tetrathiamidecyl and 3,6,9,12-tetrathiatetradecyl;

2-monomethyl- and 2-monoethylaminoethyl, 2-dimethylaminoethyl, 2- and 3-dimethyl-aminopropyl, 3-monoisopropylaminopropyl, 2- and 4-monopropylaminobutyl, 2- and 4-dimethylaminobutyl, 6-methyl-3,6-diazaheptyl, 3,6-dimethyl-3,6-diazaheptyl, 3,6-di-azaoctyl, 3,6-dimethyl-3,6-diazaoctyl, 9-methyl-3,6,9-triazadecyl, 3,6,9-trimethyl-3,6,9-triazadecyl, 3,6,9-triazaundecyl, 3,6,9-trimethyl-3,6,9-triazaundecyl, 12-methyl-3,6,9,12-tetraazamidecyl and 3,6,9,12-tetramethyl-3,6,9,12-tetraazamidecyl;

(1-ethylethylidene)aminoethylene, (1-ethylethylidene)aminopropylene, (1-ethylethylidene)aminobutylene, (1-ethylethylidene)aminodecylene and (1-ethylethylidene)aminododecylene;

propan-2-on-1-yl, butan-3-on-1-yl, butan-3-on-2-yl and 2-ethylpentan-3-on-1-yl;

2-methylsulfoxidoethyl, 2-ethylsulfoxidoethyl, 2-propylsulfoxidoethyl, 2-isopropylsulf-oxidoethyl, 2-butylsulfoxidoethyl, 2- and 3-methylsulfoxidopropyl, 2- and 3-ethylsulf-oxidopropyl, 2- and 3-propylsulfoxidopropyl, 2- and 3-butylsulfoxidopropyl, 2- and 4-methylsulfoxidobutyl, 2- and 4-ethylsulfoxidobutyl, 2- and 4-propylsulfoxidobutyl and 4-butylsuifoxidobutyl;

2-methylsulfonylethyl, 2-ethylsulfonylethyl, 2-propylsulfonylethyl, 2-isopropylsulfonyl-ethyl, 2-butylsulfonylethyl, 2- and 3-methylsulfonylpropyl, 2- and 3-ethylsulfonylpropyl, 2- and 3-propylsulfonylpropyl, 2- and 3-butylsulfonylpropyl, 2- and 4-methylsulfonyl-butyl, 2- and 4-ethylsulfonylbutyl, 2- and 4-propylsulfonylbutyl and 4-butylsulfonylbutyl;

carboxymethyl, 2-carboxyethyl, 3-carboxypropyl, 4-carboxybutyl, 5-carboxypentyl, 6-carboxyhexyl, 8-carboxyoctyl, 10-carboxydecyl, 12-carboxydodecyl and 14-carboxy-tetradecyl;

sulfomethyl, 2-sulfoethyl, 3-sulfopropyl, 4-sulfobutyl, 5-sulfopentyl, 6-sulfohexyl, 8-sulfooctyl, 10-sulfodecyl, 12-sulfododecyl and 14-sulfotetradecyl;

2-hydroxyethyl, 2- and 3-hydroxypropyl, 1-hydroxyprop-2-yl, 3- and 4-hydroxybutyl, 1-hydroxybut-2-yl and 8-hydroxy-4-oxaoctyl;

2-cyanoethyl, 3-cyanopropyl, 3- and 4-cyanobutyl, 2-methyl-3-ethyl-3-cyanopropyl, 7-cyano-7-ethylheptyl and 4,7-dimethyl-7-cyanoheptyl;

2-chloroethyl, 2- and 3-chloropropyl, 2-, 3- and 4-chlorobutyl, 2-bromoethyl, 2- and 3-bromopropyl and 2-, 3- and 4-bromobutyl;

2-nitroethyl, 2- and 3-nitropropyl and 2-, 3- and 4-nitrobutyl;

methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, isopropoxy, butoxy, isobutoxy, sec-butoxy, tert-butoxy, pentoxy, isopentoxy, neopentoxy, tert-pentoxy and hexoxy;

methylthio, ethylthio, propylthio, isopropylthio, butylthio, isobutylthio, sec-butylthio, tert-butylthio, pentylthio, isopentylthio, neopentylthio, tert-pentylthio and hexylthio;

ethynyl, 1- and 2-propynyl, 1-, 2- and 3-butynyl, 1-, 2-, 3- and 4-pentynyl, 1-, 2-, 3-, 4- and 5-hexynyl, 1-, 2-, 3-, 4-, 5-, 6-, 7-, 8- and 9-decynyl, 1-, 2-, 3-, 4-, 5-, 6-, 7-, 8-, 9-, 10- and 11-dodecynyl and 1-, 2-, 3-, 4-, 5-, 6-, 7-, 8-, 9-, 10-, 11-, 12-, 13-, 14-, 15-, 16- and 17-octadecynyl;

ethenyl, 1- and 2-propenyl, 1-, 2- and 3-butenyl, 1-, 2-, 3- and 4-pentenyl, 1-, 2-, 3-, 4- and 5-hexenyl, 1-, 2-, 3-, 4-, 5-, 6-, 7-, 8- and 9-decenyl, 1-, 2-, 3-, 4-, 5-, 6-, 7-, 8-, 9-, 10- and 11-dodecenyl and 1-, 2-, 3-, 4-, 5-, 6-, 7-, 8-, 9-, 10-, 11-, 12-, 13-, 14-, 15-, 16- and 17-octadecenyl;

methylamino, ethylamino, propylamino, isopropylamino, butylamino, isobutylamino, pentylamino, hexylamino, dimethylamino, methylethylamino, diethylamino, dipropyl-amino, diisopropylamino, dibutylamino, diisobutylamino, dipentylamino, dihexylamino, dicyclopentylamino, dicyclohexylamino, dicycloheptylamino, diphenylamino and dibenzylamino;

formylamino, acetylamino, propionylamino and benzoylamino;

carbamoyl, methylaminocarbonyl, ethylaminocarbonyl, propylaminocarbonyl, butylaminocarbonyl, pentylaminocarbonyl, hexylaminocarbonyl, heptylaminocarbonyl, octylaminocarbonyl, nonylaminocarbonyl, decylaminocarbonyl and phenylaminocarbonyl;

aminosulfonyl, N,N-dimethylaminosulfonyl, N,N-diethylaminosulfonyl, N-methyl-N-ethylaminosulfonyl, N-methyl-N-dodecylaminosulfonyl, N-dodecylaminosulfonyl, (N,N-dimethylamino)ethylaminosulfonyl, N,N-(propoxyethyl)dodecylaminosulfonyl, N,N-diphenylaminosulfonyl, N,N-(4-tert-butylphenyl)octadecylaminosulfonyl and N,N-bis(4-chlorophenyl)aminosulfonyl;

methoxycarbonyl, ethoxycarbonyl, propoxycarbonyl, isopropoxycarbonyl, hexoxycarbonyl, dodecyloxycarbonyl, octadecyloxycarbonyl, phenoxycarbonyl, (4-tert-butyl-phenoxy)carbonyl and (4-chlorophenoxy)carbonyl;

methoxysulfonyl, ethoxysulfonyl, propoxysulfonyl, isopropoxysulfonyl, butoxysulfonyl, isobutoxysulfonyl, tert-butoxysulfonyl, hexoxysulfonyl, dodecyloxysulfonyl, octadecyloxysulfonyl, phenoxysulfonyl, 1- and 2-naphthyloxysulfonyl, (4-tert-butylphenoxy)sulfonyl and (4-chlorophenoxy)sulfonyl;

diphenylphosphino, di-(o-tolyl)phosphino and diphenylphosphinoxido;

chlorine, bromine and iodine;

phenylazo, 2-naphthylazo, 2-pyridylazo and 2-pyrimidylazo;

cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, 2- and 3-methylcyclopentyl, 2- and 3-ethylcyclo-pentyl, cyclohexyl, 2-, 3- and 4-methylcyclohexyl, 2-, 3- and 4-ethylcyclohexyl, 3- and 4-propylcyclohexyl, 3- and 4-isopropylcyclohexyl, 3- and 4-butylcyclohexyl, 3- and 4-sec-butylcyclohexyl, 3- and 4-tert-butylcyclohexyl, cycloheptyl, 2-, 3- and 4-methyl-cycloheptyl, 2-, 3- and 4-ethylcycloheptyl, 3- and 4-propylcycloheptyl, 3- and 4-isopropylcycloheptyl, 3- and 4-butylcycloheptyl, 3- and 4-sec-butylcycloheptyl, 3- and 4-tert-butylcycloheptyl, cyclooctyl, 2-, 3-, 4- and 5-methylcyclooctyl, 2-, 3-, 4- and 5-ethylcyclooctyl and 3-, 4- and 5-propylcyclooctyl; 3- and 4-hydroxycyclohexyl, 3- and 4-nitrocyclohexyl and 3- and 4-chlorocyclohexyl;

1-, 2- and 3-cyclopentenyl, 1-, 2-, 3- and 4-cyclohexenyl, 1-, 2- and 3-cycloheptenyl and 1-, 2-, 3- and 4-cyclooctenyl;

2-dioxanyl, 1-morpholinyl, 1-thiomorpholinyl, 2- and 3-tetrahydrofuryl, 1-, 2- and 3-pyrrolidinyl, 1-piperazyl, 1-diketopiperazyl and 1-, 2-, 3- and 4-piperidyl;

phenyl, 2-naphthyl, 2- and 3-pyrryl, 2-, 3- and 4-pyridyl, 2-, 4- and 5-pyrimidyl, 3-, 4- and 5-pyrazolyl, 2-, 4- and 5-imidazolyl, 2-, 4- and 5-thiazolyl, 3-(1,2,4-triazyl), 2-(1,3,5-triazyl), 6-quinaldyl, 3-, 5-, 6- and 8-quinolinyl, 2-benzoxazolyl, 2-benzothiazolyl, 5-benzothiadiazolyl, 2- and 5-benzimidazolyl and 1- and 5-isoquinolyl;

1-, 2-, 3-, 4-, 5-, 6- and 7-indolyl, 1-, 2-, 3-, 4-, 5-, 6- and 7-isoindolyl, 5-(4-methyliso-indolyl), 5-(4-phenylisoindolyl), 1-, 2-, 4-, 6-, 7- and 8-(1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolinyl), 3-(5-phenyl)-(1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolinyl), 5-(3-dodecyl-(1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-isoquinolinyl), 1-, 2-, 3-, 4-, 5-, 6-, 7- and 8-(1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinolinyl) and 2-, 3-, 4-, 5-, 6-, 7- and 8-chromanyl, 2-, 4- and 7-quinolinyl, 2-(4-phenylquinolinyl) and 2-(5-ethylquinolinyl);

2-, 3- and 4-methylphenyl, 2,4-, 3,5- and 2,6-dimethylphenyl, 2,4,6-trimethylphenyl, 2-, 3- and 4-ethylphenyl, 2,4-, 3,5- and 2,6-diethylphenyl, 2,4,6-triethylphenyl, 2-, 3- and 4-propylphenyl, 2,4-, 3,5- and 2,6-dipropylphenyl, 2,4,6-tripropylphenyl, 2-, 3- and 4-isopropylphenyl, 2,4-, 3,5- and 2,6-diisopropylphenyl, 2,4,6-triisopropylphenyl, 2-, 3- and 4-butylphenyl, 2,4-, 3,5- and 2,6-dibutylphenyl, 2,4,6-tributylphenyl, 2-, 3- and 4-isobutylphenyl, 2,4-, 3,5- and 2,6-diisobutylphenyl, 2,4,6-triisobutylphenyl, 2-, 3- and 4-sec-butylphenyl, 2,4-, 3,5- and 2,6-di-sec-butylphenyl and 2,4,6-tri-sec-butylphenyl; 2-, 3- and 4-methoxyphenyl, 2,4-, 3,5- and 2,6-dimethoxyphenyl, 2,4,6-trimethoxyphenyl, 2-, 3- and 4-ethoxyphenyl, 2,4-, 3,5- and 2,6-diethoxyphenyl, 2,4,6-triethoxyphenyl, 2-, 3- and 4-propoxyphenyl, 2,4-, 3,5- and 2,6-dipropoxyphenyl, 2-, 3- and 4-isopropoxyphenyl, 2,4- and 2,6-diisopropoxyphenyl and 2-, 3- and 4-butoxyphenyl; 2-, 3- and 4-chlorophenyl and 2,4-, 3,5- and 2,6-dichlorophenyl; 2-, 3- and 4-hydroxyphenyl and 2,4-, 3,5- and 2,6-dihydroxyphenyl; 2-, 3- and 4-cyanophenyl; 3- and 4-carboxyphenyl; 3- and 4-carboxamidophenyl, 3- and 4-N-methylcarboxamidophenyl and 3- and 4-N-ethylcarboxamidophenyl; 3- and 4-acetylaminophenyl, 3- and 4-propionylaminophenyl and 3- and 4-butyrylaminophenyl; 3- and 4-N-phenylaminophenyl, 3- and 4-N-(o-tolyl)aminophenyl, 3- and 4-N-(m-tolyl)aminophenyl and 3- and 4-N-(p-tolyl)aminophenyl; 3- and 4-(2-pyridyl)aminophenyl, 3- and 4-(3-pyridyl)aminophenyl, 3- and 4-(4-pyridyl)aminophenyl, 3- and 4-(2-pyrimidyl)aminophenyl and 4-(4-pyrimidyl)aminophenyl;

4-phenylazophenyl, 4-(1-naphthylazo)phenyl, 4-(2-naphthylazo)phenyl, 4-(4-naphthyl-azo)phenyl, 4-(2-pyridylazo)phenyl, 4-(3-pyridylazo)phenyl, 4-(4-pyridylazo)phenyl, 4-(2-pyrimidylazo)phenyl, 4-(4-pyrimidylazo)phenyl and 4-(5-pyrimidylazo)phenyl;

phenoxy, phenylthio, 2-naphthoxy, 2-naphthylthio, 2-, 3- and 4-pyridyloxy, 2-, 3- and 4-pyridylthio, 2-, 4- and 5-pyrimidyloxy and 2-, 4- and 5-pyrimidylthio.

The inventive rylene derivatives I and the processes for their preparation which are likewise in accordance with the invention will be detailed individually hereinbelow.

The variables occurring in the formulae used here, unless stated otherwise, are each as defined at the outset.

In these formulae and also in the claims, the carboxylic acid functions are always shown in anhydride form and also referred to as anhydride. However, the free carboxylic acids or salts thereof are likewise obtainable by the procedures described or are obtained as intermediates and merely have to be isolated.

The rylenetetracarboxylic monoimide monoanhydrides Ia

and the rylenetetracarboxylic dianhydrides Ib

can be prepared advantageously in accordance with the invention by subjecting a rylenetetracarboximide II

to a hydrolysis under alkaline conditions in the presence of a polar organic solvent and isolating the rylenetetracarboxylic monoimide monoanhydride Ia and the rylenetetracarboxylic dianhydride Ib, preferably by column chromatography, and separating them from one another.

It is advantageous in this procedure (variant a) of the particular individual process) that it also starts from symmetrical rylenetetracarboximides II for the preparation of the rylenetetracarboxylic monoimide monoanhydrides, and makes superfluous the complicated synthesis of the unsymmetrical rylenetetracarboximides II which are otherwise required.

Suitable reaction media for the hydrolysis are polar, in particular protic, organic solvents. Particularly suitable are aliphatic alcohols which have from 3 to 8 carbon atoms and may be unbranched, but are preferably branched. Examples include, in addition to n-propanol and n-butanol, in particular isopropanol, sec- and tert-butanol and 2-methyl-2-butanol.

It will be appreciated that it is also possible to use mixtures of solvents.

In general, from 5 to 500 ml, preferably from 20 to 100 ml, of solvent are used per g of II.

Suitable bases are alkali metal and alkaline earth metal bases, preference being given to the alkali metal bases and particular preference to the sodium and potassium bases. The bases used are both inorganic bases, in particular the hydroxides such as sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide, and organic bases, in particular the alkoxides such as sodium methoxide, potassium methoxide, potassium isopropoxide and potassium tert-butoxide, which are typically used in anhydrous form. Very particular preference is given to potassium hydroxide.

It will be appreciated that it is also possible to use mixtures of bases.

In general, from 10 to 200 mol, preferably from 30 to 70 mol, of base are required per mole of II.

Especially in the case of hydrolysis of terrylenetetracarboximides II, it has been found to be advantageous additionally to use a metal fluoride, in particular an alkali metal fluoride, for example potassium fluoride, sodium fluoride or lithium fluoride, as an assistant.

Suitable amounts of assistant are generally from 0.1 to 4 mol, in particular from 0.5 to 1.5 mol, per mole of base.

The reaction temperature is generally from 50 to 120° C., preferably from 60 to 100° C.

Typical reaction times are from 0.5 to 24 h, in particular from 2 to 10 h.

In terms of process technology, the procedure is appropriately as follows:

A mixture of base, if appropriate assistant and solvent is heated to the reaction temperature with vigorous stirring and then the rylenetetracarboximide II is added. After the desired reaction time, an acid, for example an inorganic acid such as hydrochloric acid or preferably an organic acid such as acetic acid, is added dropwise until a pH of from about 1 to 4 has been attained, and the mixture is stirred at the reaction temperature for a further 1 to 4 h. The reaction product precipitated by dilution with water after cooling to room temperature is filtered off, washed with hot water and dried at about 100° C. under reduced pressure.

When the corresponding carboxylic acid salt is to be isolated instead of the particular anhydride, the procedure is appropriately not to acidify the reaction mixture after the hydrolysis, but instead only to cool it to room temperature, filter off the precipitated product, wash with a lower aliphatic alcohol such as isopropanol, and dry at about 100° C. under reduced pressure.

Rylenetetracarboxylic monoimide monoanhydride Ia and rylenetetracarboxylic dianhydride Ib may be isolated by column chromatography on silica gel with toluene or chloroform as the eluent and purified, i.e. separated from one another and from unhydrolyzed reactant II.

The yield for the mixture of rylenetetracarboxylic monoimide monoanhydride Ia and rylenetetracarboxylic dianhydride Ib is typically from 70 to 90%.

Selection of suitable reaction conditions allows the reaction, if desired, also to be steered in the direction of single or of double hydrolysis (respective process variants b)).

Thus, the single hydrolysis is promoted by milder reaction conditions such as smaller amounts of base, lower reaction temperatures and shorter reaction times, while, in the case of more severe reaction conditions such as larger amounts of base, addition of assistant, higher reaction temperatures and longer reaction times, double hydrolysis predominates.

Rylenetetracarboxylic monoimide monoanhydride Ia and rylenetetracarboxylic dianhydride Ib may be obtained in this way generally in yields of from 30 to 70% (for Ia) or from 50 to 90% (for Ib).

In the inventive preparation of the rylenedicarboximides Ic

and also of the rylenes Id

the mixture, obtained in the hydrolysis of the rylenetetracarboximide II, of rylene-tetracarboxylic monoimide monoanhydride Ia and rylenetetracarboxylic dianhydride Ib, which typically also comprises unhydrolyzed rylenetetracarboximide II, is used and is subjected to a decarboxylation in the presence of a tertiary nitrogen-basic compound as a solvent and of a transition metal catalyst (respective process variants a)). The rylenedicarboximides Ic and rylenes Id formed here may be separated from one another readily by column chromatography.

It will be appreciated that the rylenedicarboximides Ic and the rylenes Id may also be prepared in accordance with process variants b) from the rylenetetracarboxylic monoimide monoanhydride Ia or rylenetetracarboxylic dianhydride Ib isolated in each case.

Suitable reaction media for the decarboxylation are tertiary nitrogen-basic compounds whose boiling point is preferably above the reaction temperature. Examples of particularly suitable solvents are N,N-disubstituted aliphatic carboxamides (in particular N,N-di-C₁-C₄-alkyl-C₁-C₄-carboxamides) and nitrogen heterocycles.

Specific examples include: dimethylformamide, diethylformamide, dimethylacetamide, dimethylbutyramide, N-methylpyrrolidone, 3-methylpyridine, quinoline, isoquinoline and quinaldine, preference being given to quinoline.

It will be appreciated that it is also possible to use solvent mixtures.

In general, from 5 to 200 ml, in particular from 10 to 70 ml, of solvent are used per g of reactant to be decarboxylated.

Suitable catalysts are in particular the transition metals copper and zinc and their compounds, in particular their oxides and their inorganic and organic salts which are used preferably in anhydrous form.

Examples of preferred catalysts are copper, copper(I) oxide, copper(II) oxide, copper(I) chloride, copper(II) acetate, zinc acetate and zinc propionate, particular preference being given to copper(I) oxide and zinc acetate.

It will be appreciated that it is also possible to use mixtures of the catalysts mentioned.

In general, from 0.5 to 2 mol, preferably from 0.9 to 1.2 mol, of catalyst is used per mole of reactant to be decarboxylated.

The reaction temperature is typically from 100 to 250° C., preferably from 160 to 220° C.

It is recommended to work under protective gas, for example nitrogen or argon.

The decarboxylation is complete generally within from 0.5 to 24 h, in particular from 1 to 5 h.

In process technology terms, the procedure is appropriately as follows:

A mixture of reactant to be decarboxylated, solvent and catalyst is heated with stirring under protective gas to the desired reaction temperature. After the desired reaction time and cooling to room temperature, the reaction product is precipitated in an aqueous acid, in particular dilute hydrochloric acid, and the mixture is stirred if desired at 60° C. for about 1 h. The reaction product is filtered off, washed with hot water and dried at about 100° C. under reduced pressure.

Rylenedicarboximide Ic and rylene Id may be isolated by column chromatography on silica gel with toluene as the eluent and purified, i.e. separated from one another and from unconverted reactant.

The yield for the mixture of rylenedicarboximide Ic and rylene Id is, starting from the rylenetetracarboximide II, typically from 65 to 85%.

It is also possible in the preparation of the peri-halogenated rylenedicarboximides Ie

(Hal: halogen, preferably chlorine, bromine or iodine, more preferably chlorine or bromine, most preferably bromine) and of the halogenated rylenes If

(Hal: halogen, preferably chlorine, bromine or iodine, more preferably chlorine or bromine, most preferably bromine; Z¹, Z²: hydrogen, or one of the Z¹ or Z² radicals is halogen, preferably chlorine, bromine or iodine, more preferably chlorine or bromine, most preferably bromine, and the other radical is hydrogen), in accordance with the inventive process variant b), advantageously to use the mixture, obtained in the above-described decarboxylation, of rylenedicarboximide Ic and rylene Id, which typically also comprises unhydrolyzed rylenetetracarboximide II, which is in turn based on the mixture, obtained in the hydrolysis of the rylenetetracarboximide II, of rylenetetracarboxylic monoimide monoanhydride Ia and rylenetetracarboxylic dianhydride Ib. The resulting halogenated rylene derivatives Ie and If can be separated easily by column chromatography.

It will be appreciated that the halogenated rylene derivatives Ie and If may also be prepared by halogenating the isolated individual compounds Ic and Id (process variants a)).

The inventive halogenation is undertaken with N-halosuccinimide in the presence of a polar organic solvent and of a Lewis acid as a catalyst.

This procedure can be employed in order to prepare the chlorinated, brominated or iodinated rylene derivatives Ie and If, preference being given to the chlorinated products and particular preference to the brominated products.

The rylenedicarboximides Ic are monohalogenated regioselectively in the peri-position; the rylene derivatives Id may be mono- and dihalogenated.

In the dihalogenation of the rylene derivatives Id, the possibility exists, both in process variant a) and in process variant b) of undertaking the halogenation in one step with addition of the total amount of N-halosuccinimide required (process variants a1) and b1)).

However, a stepwise halogenation in accordance with process variants a2) and b2) may be preferable, in which the monohalogenated rylene If (Z¹=Z²=H) is prepared in a first step and, preferably after intermediate isolation of the monohalorylene, the dihalogenated rylene If (Z¹ or Z²=halogen) is prepared in a second step. The two-stage procedure additionally enables, by use of different N-halosuccinimides, the controlled preparation of mixed-halogenated rylenes If which are substituted on one side of the molecule (in the 3 position) by one halogen and on the other side of the molecule (correspondingly in the 11- or 12-position in terrylene and in the 13- or 14-position in quaterrylene) by the other halogen. In general, the dihalogenation always affords mixtures of the 3,11- and 3,12-dihaloterrylenes or the 3,13- and 3,14-dihaloquaterrylenes.

Suitable polar organic solvents for the halogenation are in particular aprotic solvents. Preferred examples of these solvents are the aforementioned aliphatic carboxamides such as dimethylformamide and dimethylacetamide, and halogenated hydrocarbons such as chloroform and methylene chloride. Particular preference is given to dimethylformamide.

In general, from 25 to 200 ml, preferably from 50 to 150 ml, of solvent are used per g of reactant to be halogenated.

Suitable Lewis acid catalysts are in particular metal halides, preference being given to iron(III) halides, aluminum trihalides and zinc halides. Specific examples include iron(III) chloride, iron(III) bromide, iron(III) iodide, aluminum trichloride, aluminum tribromide, aluminum triiodide and zinc chloride, particular preference being given to the iron halides.

In general, from 0.01 to 0.5 mol, preferably from 0.05 to 0.2 mol, of Lewis acid is used per mole of reactant to be halogenated.

The amount of N-halosuccinimide depends upon the degree of halogenation desired. Typically, from 1 to 6 mol, in particular from 1 to 4 mol, of N-halosuccinimide are required per halogen atom to be introduced. When mixtures of rylenedicarboximide Ic and rylene Id are used, it has to be taken into account that both reactants are to be halogenated. When the dihalorylenes If are to be prepared stepwise, appropriately from 1 to 3 mol of N-halosuccinimide are used in the first step per mole of rylene Id or per mole of rylene Id and rylenedicarboximide Ic when a reactant mixture is used, and generally a further from 1 to 6 mol, in particular from 1 to 4 mol, are used in the second step per mole of monohalogenated rylene If.

The halogenation temperature is generally from 20 to 100° C., preferably from 40 to 80° C.

It is recommended to work under protective gas, for example nitrogen or argon.

Typical reaction times are from 0.5 to 24 h, in particular from 1 to 2 h.

A convenient procedure is as follows:

A mixture of reactant to be halogenated, Lewis acid, N-halosuccinimide and solvent is heated to the desired reaction temperature with stirring under protective gas. After halogenation has ended and cooling to room temperature, the reaction product is precipitated with dilute inorganic acid, for example with dilute hydrochloric acid. The reaction product is filtered off, washed with hot water and dried at about 100° C. under reduced pressure.

The halogenated rylenedicarboximide Ie and rylene If may be isolated by column chromatography on silica gel with toluene as the eluent and purified, i.e. separated from one another and from unconverted reactant.

In the case of two-stage preparation of dihalorylenes If, the monohalorylene If isolated in this way may be subjected to a further halogenation as described above.

The yields for the peri-halogenated rylenedicarboximide Ie and the halogenated rylene If are, starting from the rylenetetracarboximide II, typically in each case from 25 to 40%.

The unhalogenated or peri-halogenated rylenedicarboxylic anhydrides Igh

(Z: hydrogen or halogen, preferred halogen being chlorine, bromine or iodine and particularly preferred halogen being chlorine or bromine and very particularly preferred halogen being bromine) are obtainable in accordance with the invention by hydrolyzing unhalogenated or peri-halogenated rylenedicarboximides of the general formula Ice

The hydrolysis may be undertaken analogously to the above-described hydrolysis of the rylenetetracarboximides II under alkaline conditions in the presence of a polar organic solvent.

Here too, especially in the case of hydrolysis of the terrylenedicarboximides Ice, the presence of a fluoride is recommended, in particular of potassium fluoride, which is used generally in amounts of from 0.1 to 2 equivalents, preferably from 0.7 to 1.3 equivalents, based on the base.

The further reaction conditions and also the process procedure correspond to the above-described hydrolysis process.

The rylenedicarboxylic acid salts or the free acid may, as described for the hydrolysis of the rylenetetracarboximide II, be isolated or prepared.

If desired, the rylenedicarboxylic anhydride Igh may be subjected to a purification by column chromatography with chloroform as the eluent, but this will generally not be required.

The yield is typically from 70 to 90% based on the rylenedicarboximide Ice used.

It will be appreciated that the peri-halogenated rylenedicarboxylic anhydrides Ih

(Hal: halogen, preferably chlorine, bromine or iodine, more preferably chlorine or bromine, most preferably bromine) may also be prepared in accordance with the invention by halogenating the corresponding rylenedicarboxylic anhydride Ig

The halogenation may advantageously be undertaken with N-halosuccinimide in the presence of a polar organic solvent and of a Lewis acid as a catalyst analogously to the above-described halogenation of the rylenedicarboximides Ic and of the rylenes Id.

The peri-(dioxaborolan-2-yl)rylenedicarboximides Ii

and the peri-(dioxaborolan-2-yl)rylenedicarboxylic anhydrides Ik

are obtainable in accordance with the invention by reacting the corresponding peri-halogenated rylenedicarboximide Ie

(Hal: halogen, preferably chlorine, bromine or iodine, more preferably chlorine or bromine, most preferably bromine) or the peri-halogenated rylenedicarboxylic anhydride Ih

(Hal: halogen, especially preferably chlorine, bromine or iodine, more preferably chlorine or bromine, most preferably bromine) with a diborane of the general formula III

in the presence of an aprotic organic solvent, of a transition metal catalyst and of a base.

The (dioxaborolan-2-yl)-substituted rylenes Ij

may be prepared analogously in accordance with the invention from the halorylenes If

To prepare the mono(dioxaborolan-2-yl)rylenes Ij (D¹=D²=H), monohalorylenes If (Z¹=Z²=H) are used.

Bis(dioxaborolan-2-yl)rylenes Ij (D¹ or D²=(d) radical)

are obtainable correspondingly from the dihalorylenes If (Z¹ or Z²=halogen).

Finally, exchange of only one of the halogen atoms present in the dihalorylene If also makes it possible to obtain mixed-substituted rylenes Ij (D¹ or D²=halogen).

Since the dihalorylenes If are generally the above-described isomer mixtures, the (dioxaborolan-2-yl)-substituted rylenes Ij prepared from them are also obtained as isomer mixtures.

In general, a (dioxaborolan-2-yl) radical is introduced into the rylene derivative Ie, Ih and/or If by using from 1 to 3 mol, preferably from 1 to 2 mol, of diborane III per mole of rylene derivative.

When only one of the halogen atoms present in the dihalorylenes If is to be replaced by a (dioxaborolan-2-yl) radical, it is recommended to slightly lower the amount of diborane III and to use from about 1 to 1.5 mol of diborane III per mole of rylene derivative If in order to prevent double substitution.

To prepare the bis(dioxaborolan-2-yl)rylenes Ij, typically double the amount of diborane III is accordingly required.

Suitable diboranes III are in particular bis(1,2- and 1,3-diolato)diboranes, tetraalkoxy-diboranes, tetracycloalkoxydiboranes, tetraaryloxydiboranes and tetrahetaryloxydiboranes and also their mixed forms. Examples of these compounds include: bis(pinacolato)diborane, bis(1,2-benzenediolato)diborane, bis(2,2-dimethyl-1,3-propanediolato)diborane, bis(1,1,3,3-tetramethyl-1,3-propanediolato)diborane, bis(4,5-pinandiolato)diborane, bis(tetramethoxy)diborane, bis(tetracyclopentoxy)diborane, bis(tetraphenoxy)diborane and bis(4-pyridiyloxy)diborane.

Preference is given to diboranes III in which the two R″ radicals disposed on a boron atom are joined together with formation of a five- or six-membered ring comprising the two oxygen atoms and also the boron atom. It is possible for aromatic or saturated, even bicyclic, rings having from 5 to 7 carbon atoms to be fused to the five-membered rings formed as ring members. All rings or ring systems may be substituted by up to 4 C₁-C₃₀-alkyl, C₅-C₈-cycloalkyl, aryl and/or hetaryl radicals; they are preferably substituted by up to 4 C₁-C₄-alkyl radicals. Examples of these preferred diboranes are the bis(1,2- and 1,3-diolato)diboranes already mentioned above, particular preference being given to bis(pinacolato)diborane.

Suitable solvents for this reaction are in principle all aprotic solvents which are stable toward bases under the reaction conditions and have a boiling point above the selected reaction temperature, in which the halogenated reactants Ie, If and/or Ih dissolve fully at reaction temperature and the catalysts and bases used at least partially, so that substantially homogeneous reaction conditions are present. It is possible to use either nonpolar-aprotic or polar-aprotic solvents, preference being given to the nonpolar-aprotic solvents.

Examples of preferred nonpolar-aprotic solvents are solvents which boil at >100° C. from the following groups: aliphatics (especially C₈-C₁₈-alkanes), unsubstituted, alkyl-substituted and fused cycloaliphatics (especially unsubstituted C₇-C₁₀-cycloalkanes, C₆-C₈-cycloalkanes which are substituted by from one to three C₁-C₆-alkyl groups, polycyclic saturated hydrocarbons having from 10 to 18 carbon atoms), alkyl- and cycloalkyl-substituted aromatics (especially benzene which is substituted by from one to three C₁-C₆-alkyl groups or one C₅-C₈-cycloalkyl radical) and fused aromatics which may be alkyl-substituted and/or partly hydrogenated (especially naphthalene which is substituted by from one to four C₁-C₆-alkyl groups) and also mixtures of these solvents.

Examples of particularly preferred solvents include: octane, isooctane, nonane, isononane, decane, isodecane, undecane, dodecane, hexadecane and octadecane; cycloheptane, cyclooctane, methylcyclohexane, dimethylcyclohexane, trimethylcyclohexane, ethylcyclohexane, diethylcyclohexane, propylcyclohexane, isopropylcyclohexane, dipropylcyclohexane, butylcyclohexane, tert-butylcyclohexane, methylcycloheptane and methylcyclooctane; toluene, o-, m- and p-xylene, 1,3,5-trimethylbenzene (mesitylene), 1,2,4- and 1,2,3-trimethylbenzene, ethylbenzene, propylbenzene, isopropylbenzene, butylbenzene, isobutylbenzene, tert-butylbenzene and cyclohexylbenzene; naphthalene, decahydronaphthalene (decalin), 1- and 2-methylnaphthalene and 1- and 2-ethylnaphthalene; combinations of the aforementioned solvents, as may be obtained from the high-boiling, partly or fully hydrogenated fractions of thermal and catalytic cracking processes in crude oil or naphtha processing, for example mixtures of the Exxsol® type and alkylbenzene mixtures of the Solvesso® type.

Very particularly preferred solvents are xylene (all isomers), mesitylene and in particular toluene.

Examples of suitable polar-aprotic solvents are N,N-disubstituted aliphatic carboxamides (especially N,N-di-C₁-C₄-alkyl-C₁-C₄-carboxamides) and nitrogen heterocycles which have already been listed above, and also aprotic ethers (especially cyclic ethers, diaryl ethers and di-C₁-C₆-alkyl ethers of monomeric and oligomeric C₂-C₃-alkylene glycols which may comprise up to 6 alkylene oxide units, in particular diethylene glycol di-C₁-C₄-alkyl ethers), such as:

tetrahydrofuran, dioxane, diphenyl ether, the dimethyl, diethyl, dipropyl, diisopropyl, di-n-butyl, di-sec-butyl and di-tert-butyl ethers of diethylene glycol, diethylene glycol methyl ethyl ether, the dimethyl and diethyl ethers of triethylene glycol, and triethylene glycol methyl ethyl ether.

In the case of the rylenes Id, particular preference is given to the polar-aprotic solvents, in particular dioxane and dimethylformamide; for the other reactants to be halogenated, particular preference is given to the nonpolar-aprotic solvents, in particular toluene.

The amount of solvent is generally from 10 to 1000 ml, preferably from 20 to 300 ml, per g of halogenated reactant.

Suitable transition metal catalysts are in particular palladium complexes such as tetrakis(triphenylphosphine)palladium(0), tetrakis(tris-o-tolylphosphine)palladium(0), [1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane]palladium(II) chloride, [1,1′-bis(diphenylphosphino)-ferrocene]palladium(II) chloride, bis(triethylphosphine)palladium(II) chloride, bis(tricyclohexylphosphine)palladium(II) acetate, (2,2′-bipyridyl)palladium(II) chloride, bis(triphenylphosphine)palladium(II) chloride, tris(dibenzylideneacetone)dipalladium(0), 1,5-cyclooctadienepalladium(II) chloride, bis(acetonitrile)palladium(II) chloride and bis(benzonitrile)palladium(II) chloride, preference being given to [1,1′-bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene]palladium(II) chloride and tetrakis(triphenylphosphine)palladium(0).

Typically, the transition metal catalyst is used in an amount of from 1 to 20 mol %, in particular from 2 to 10 mol %, based on the halogenated reactant.

The bases used are preferably the alkali metal salts, especially the sodium salts and in particular the potassium salts, of weakly organic and inorganic acids, such as sodium acetate, potassium acetate, sodium carbonate, sodium hydrogencarbonate, potassium carbonate and potassium hydrogencarbonate. Preferred bases are the acetates, in particular potassium acetate.

In general, from 1 to 5 mol, preferably from 2 to 4 mol, of base are used per mole of halogenated reactant.

The reaction temperature is typically from 20 to 180° C., in particular from 60 to 120° C.

It is recommended to work under protective gas, for example nitrogen or argon.

The reaction time is generally from 0.5 to 30 h, in particular from 1 to 20 h.

In process technology terms, the procedure is appropriately as follows: halogenated reactant and solvent are initially charged, diborane III, the transition metal catalyst and the base are added successively and the mixture is heated to the desired reaction temperature under protective gas for from 0.5 to 30 h. After cooling to room temperature, the solid constituents are filtered off from the reaction mixture and the solvent is distilled off under reduced pressure.

The rylene derivative Ik is not obtained here in anhydride form, but rather is generally present in the form of the rylenedicarboxylic acid salt. The anhydride itself may be obtained in a simple manner by adding an acid. In this way, a dioxaborolan-2-yl radical present as the ester (R″≠H) is hydrolyzed to the boronic acid (R″=H):

If desired, the (dioxaborolan-2-yl)-substituted rylene derivatives Ii, Ij and Ik may be subjected to a purification by column chromatography with a 2:1 mixture of chloroform and hexane as the eluent, but this will generally not be required.

The yield is typically from 80 to 100%.

The rylene derivatives I having anhydride functions (or acid functions) may be condensed with aromatic diamines IV.

The double condensation products obtainable starting from the rylenetetracarboxylic dianhydrides Ib are generally obtained in the form of mixtures of the cis isomer Im_(cis) and of the trans isomer Im_(trans)

By stepwise reaction with two different diamines IV and IV′, it is also possible to obtain the corresponding unsymmetrical condensation products Im′_(cis) and Im′_(trans)

However, it is also possible to subject the rylenetetracarboxylic dianhydrides Ib only to a single condensation reaction with the aromatic diamine IV, by which it is possible to obtain the rylenetetracarboxylic acid derivatives In

The rylenetetracarboxylic acid derivatives Io

can be prepared by corresponding reaction of the rylenetetracarboxylic monoimide monoanhydrides Ia.

Finally, the rylenedicarboxylic acid derivatives Ip

may be prepared by condensing the rylenedicarboxylic anhydrides Ig with the aromatic diamines IV.

The condensation of the rylene derivatives I having anhydride functions with the aromatic diamines IV is carried out in accordance with the invention in the presence of a nitrogen-basic compound or of phenol as a solvent and of a Lewis acid or of piperazine as a catalyst.

To prepare the monocondensation products, typically from 1 to 1.5 mol, preferably from 1.05 to 1.2 mol, of aromatic diamine IV are used per mole of anhydride reactant. To prepare the symmetrical dicondensation products Im, accordingly, generally from 2 to 3 mol, especially from 2.1 to 2.4 mol, of diamine IV are used.

When the unsymmetrical dicondensation products Im′ are to be prepared, it is recommended to react the rylenetetracarboxylic dianhydrides Ib first with only from 1 to 1.5 mol, in particular from 1 to 1.2 mol, of the diamine IV and then with from 1 to 1.5 mol, especially from 1 to 1.2 mol, of the diamine IV′.

Suitable aromatic diamines IV are o-phenylenediamine, 1,8-diaminonaphthalene and 3,4-diaminopyridine. The diamines may be substituted by C₁-C₁₂-alkyl, C₁-C₆-alkoxy, hydroxyl, nitro and/or halogen, but are preferably unsubstituted. Preferred diamines IV are o-phenylenediamine and 1,8-diaminonaphthalene.

Suitable nitrogen-basic compounds are in particular nitrogen heterocycles which are preferably not further functionalized, such as quinoline, isoquinoline, quinaldine, pyrimidine, N-methylpiperidine, pyridine, pyrrole, pyrazole, triazole, tetrazole, imidazole and methylimidazole. Preference is given to tertiary nitrogen-basic compounds, in particular quinoline.

In general, from 5 to 200 ml, preferably from 10 to 50 ml, of solvent are used per g of rylene derivative.

Suitable catalysts are Lewis acids, for example zinc compounds, in particular zinc salts such as zinc acetate and zinc chloride, and zinc oxide, inorganic and organic acids such as hydrochloric acid, acetic acid and p-toluenesulfonic acid, preference being given to zinc acetate.

Likewise suitable as a catalyst is piperazine which is preferably used in combination with phenol as a solvent.

Typically, from 0.25 to 5.0 mol, in particular from 1.0 to 2.0 mol, of catalyst are used per anhydride group to be converted.

The reaction temperature is generally from 100 to 240° C., preferably from 160 to 240° C.

It is recommended to work under protective gas, for example nitrogen or argon.

In general, the condensation has ended within from 0.5 to 24 h, in particular from 2 to 6 h.

In process technology terms, the procedure is appropriately as follows:

A mixture of anhydride reactant, catalyst, diamine and solvent is heated to the desired reaction temperature with stirring under protective gas. After the end of condensation and cooling to room temperature, the reaction product is precipitated with dilute hydrochloric acid, filtered off, washed with hot water and dried at about 100° C. under reduced pressure.

If desired, the resulting condensation products may be subjected to purification by column chromatography with chloroform as the eluent, but this will generally not be required.

The yield is typically from 90 to 95%.

The rylenedicarboxylic acid derivatives Ip

are also obtainable in accordance with the invention by decarboxylating the rylenetetracarboxylic acid derivatives In

The decarboxylation is undertaken advantageously in the presence of a tertiary nitrogen-basic compound as a solvent and of a transition metal catalyst analogously to the above-described decarboxylation of rylenetetracarboxylic monoimide monoanhydride Ia and rylenetetracarboxylic dianhydride Ib.

The peri-halogenated rylenedicarboxylic acid derivatives Iq

(Hal: halogen, preferably chlorine, bromine or iodine, more preferably chlorine or bromine, most preferably bromine) are finally obtainable in accordance with the invention by reacting the rylenedicarboxylic acid derivatives Ip

with N-halosuccinimide in the presence of a polar organic solvent and of a Lewis acid as a catalyst.

In this case, it is possible to proceed analogously to the halogenation described above for the rylenedicarboximides Ic, rylenedicarboxylic anhydrides Ig and rylenes Id. The arylene or hetarylene radical may also be halogenated from one to four times.

It is also possible to obtain the peri-(dioxaborolan-2-yl)rylenedicarboxylic acid derivatives Ir

in accordance with the invention by reacting the peri-halogenated rylenedicarboxylic acid derivatives Iq

with an aromatic diborane III

in the presence of an aprotic organic solvent, of a transition metal catalyst and of a base.

The procedure is advantageously analogous to the above-described reaction of the peri-halogenated rylenedicarboximides Ie, of the peri-halogenated rylenedicarboxylic anhydrides Ih and of the halorylenes If with the diborane III.

The inventive rylene derivatives I exhibit strong absorption in the infrared region at wavelengths of from 550 to 900 nm. Their functionalization can be selected such that they can be adapted directly to the desired end use.

They are suitable for a multitude of applications, such as the coloring of high molecular weight organic and inorganic materials, for example of coatings, printing inks and plastics, for producing aqueous polymer dispersions which absorb in the near infrared region of the electromagnetic spectrum, for obtaining markings and inscriptions which absorb infrared light and are invisible to the human eye, as infrared absorbers for heat management, as IR laser beam-absorbing materials in the fusion treatment of plastics parts, as semiconductors in organic electronics, as emitters in electro- and chemiluminescence applications, and also as active components in photovoltaics.

They may also be used advantageously as reactants for preparing higher rylenes which absorbs at longer wavelength.

EXAMPLES Example 1 N-(2,6-Diisopropylphenyl)-1,6,9,14-tetra[4-(1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl)phenoxy]terrylene-3, 4:11,12-tetracarboxylic monoimide monoanhydride Ia′ and 1,6,9,14-tetra[4-(1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl)phenoxy]terrylene-3,4:11,12-tetracarboxylic dianhydride Ib′

A mixture of 4.1 g (2.5 mmol) of N,N′-di(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)-1,6,9,14-tetra[4-(1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl)phenoxy]terrylene-3, 4:11,12-tetracarboximide II′ and 200 ml of tert-butanol was heated to 60° C. After 0.5 h, 4.2 g (75.6 mmol) of potassium hydroxide and 4.4 g (75.6 mmol) of potassium fluoride were added. The mixture was then heated to gentle reflux (about 80° C.) and stirred at this temperature for 16 h. The thin-layer chromatography analysis of a sample with toluene showed only a trace of unconverted reactant. 230 ml of 50% by weight acetic acid were then added dropwise and the mixture was stirred at 80° C. for another 1 h. The reaction product was precipitated in water, filtered off, washed with hot water and dried at 100° C. under reduced pressure. The crude product was subjected to column chromatography on silica gel first with toluene and then with acetone as the eluent.

1.40 g (37%) of Ia′ in the form of a blue solid and also 1.15 g (34%) of Ib′ in the form of a blue solid were obtained, which corresponds to a total yield of 71%.

Analytical Data of Ia′:

Melting point: 312-314° C.;

¹H-NMR (500 MHz, CD₂Cl₂, 25° C.): δ=9.51 (s, 4H); 8.18 (s, 2H); 8.10 (s, 2H); 7.45-7.43 (m, 9H); 7.30 (d, 2H, J=7.9 Hz); 7.12 (d, 4H, J=13.8 Hz); 7.10 (d, 4H, J=13.8 Hz); 2.70 (m, 2H); 1.76 (d, 8H, J=15.0 Hz); 1.40 (d, 24H, J=11.0 Hz); 1.02 (d, 12H, J=6.8 Hz); 0.75 (d, 36H, J=24.0 Hz) ppm;

UV-Vis (CHCl₃): λ_(max)(ε)=678 (108000), 622 (54000), 443 (1200) nm (M⁻¹ cm⁻¹);

Fluorescence (CHCl₃): λ_(max)=721 nm (excitation 680 nm);

MS (FD): m/z (rel. int.)=1492.9 (100%) [M⁺].

Analytical Data of Ib′:

Melting point: >360° C.;

¹H-NMR (500 MHz, CD₂Cl₂, 25° C.): δ=9.45 (s, 4H); 8.05 (s, 4H); 7.47 (d, J=8.7 Hz, 8H); 7.10 (d, J=8.9 Hz, 8H); 1.78 (d, J=8.9 Hz, 8H); 1.41 (s, 24H); 0.78 (s, 36H) ppm;

UV-Vis (CHCl₃): λ_(max)(ε)=679 (99000), 623 (50000), 444 (13000) nm (M⁻¹cm⁻¹);

Fluorescence (CHCl₃): λ_(max)=714 nm (excitation 680 nm);

MS (FD): m/z (rel. int.)=1333.7 (100%) [M⁺].

Example 1a 1,6,9,14-Tetra[4-1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl)phenoxy]terrylene-3,4:11,12-tetracarboxylic acid tetrapotassium salt Ib′″

A mixture of 2.5 g (2.1 mmol) of II′ and 70 ml of tert-butanol was heated to 60° C. After 0.5 h, 3.6 g (62.3 mmol) of potassium hydroxide and 3.6 g (62.3 mmol) of potassium fluoride were added. The mixture was then heated to gentle reflux (about 80° C.) and stirred at this temperature for 18 h. The thin-layer chromatography analysis of a sample with toluene showed only a trace of unconverted reactant. The reaction product was precipitated in water, filtered off, washed with water and dried at 100° C. under reduced pressure.

29 g of Ib′″ were obtained in the form of a violet solid, which corresponds to a yield of 85%.

Analytical Data of Ib′″:

UV-Vis (H₂O): λ_(max)=590, 546 nm.

Example 2 N-(2,6-Diisopropylphenyl)-1,6,9,14-tetra[4-(1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl)phenoxy]terrylene-3,4-dicarboximide Ic′ and 1,6,9,14-tetra[4-(1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl)phenoxy]terrylene Id′

5.44 g (37.9 mmol) of copper(I) oxide were added to a mixture, stirred under nitrogen, of 3.43 g of a reaction mixture which was obtained analogously to Example 1 and consists substantially of Ia′ and Ib′, and 215 ml of quinoline. The mixture was then heated to 210° C. and stirred at this temperature for 2 h. After checking the completeness of conversion by thin-layer chromatography and cooling to room temperature, the reaction product was precipitated in 1400 g of 6% by weight hydrochloric acid, filtered off, washed with hot water and dried at 100° C. under reduced pressure. The crude product was subjected to column chromatography on silica gel with a methylene chloride/hexane mixture (1:1) as the eluent.

1.32 g (yield 37%, based on the II′ used in Example 1) of Ic′ were obtained in the form of a blue solid, and also 1.17 g (yield 39% based on the II′ used in Example 1) of Id′ in the form of a red solid, which corresponds to a total yield of 76% based on the II′ used in Example 1.

Analytical Data of Ic′:

Melting point: 264-266° C.;

¹H-NMR (500 MHz, CD₂Cl₂, 25° C.): δ=9.39 (d, 2H, J=9.0 Hz); 9.17 (d, 2H, J=9.0 Hz); 8.18 (s, 2H); 7.72 (d, 2H, J=9.0 Hz); 7.45 (m, 1H); 7.40 (m, 8H); 7.30 (d, 2H, J=7.5 Hz); 7.18 (d, 2H, J=9.0 Hz); 7.08 (d, 4H, J=9.0 Hz); 7.03 (d, 4H, J=9.0 Hz); 2.68 (m, 2H); 1.73 (d, 8H, J=11.0 Hz); 1.36 (s, 24H); 1.08 (d, 12H, J=7.0 Hz); 0.75 (d, 36H, J=14.5 Hz) ppm;

UV-Vis (CHCl₃): λ_(max)(ε)=639 (67900), 424 (8000), 394 (8100) nm (M⁻¹cm⁻¹);

Fluorescence (CHCl₃): λ_(max)=760 nm (excitation 650 nm);

MS (FD): m/z (rel. int.)=1422.8 (100%) [M⁺].

Analytical Data of Id′:

Melting point: 280-282° C.;

¹H-NMR (500 MHz, CD₂Cl₂, 25° C.): δ=8.94 (s, 4H); 7.61 (d, 4H, J=8.5 Hz); 7.45 (d, 8H, J=9.0 Hz); 7.10 (d, 4H, J=8.5 Hz); 6.95 (d, 8H, J=9.0 Hz); 1.72 (s, 8H); 1.35 (d, 24H, J=11.0 Hz); 0.72 (s, 36H) ppm;

UV-Vis (CHCl₃): λ_(max)(O)=550 (47500), 509 (29400), 476 (11100) nm (M⁻¹cm⁻¹);

Fluorescence (CHCl₃): λ_(max)=574 nm (excitation 550 nm);

MS (FD): m/z (rel. int.)=1192.6 (100%) [M⁺].

Example 3 N-(2,6-Diisopropylphenyl)-1,6,9,14-tetra[4-(1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl)phenoxy]-11-bromoterrylene-3,4-dicarboximide Ie′

0.12 g (0.84 mmol) of N-bromosuccinimide and 0.02 g (0.08 mmol) of iron(III) bromide were added to a mixture, stirred under nitrogen, of 0.3 g (0.21 mmol) of Ic′ and 42 ml of dimethylformamide. The mixture was then heated to 40° C. and stirred at this temperature for 1 h. The reaction product was precipitated in a water/hydrochloric acid mixture (80 ml/20 g), filtered off, washed with hot water and dried at 70° C. under reduced pressure. The crude product was subjected to a column filtration on silica gel with toluene.

0.21 g of Ie′ was obtained in the form of a blue solid, which corresponds to a yield of 66%.

Analytical Data of Ie′:

Melting point: 120-122° C.;

¹H-NMR (500 MHz, CD₂Cl₂, 25° C.): δ=9.40 (m, 2H); 9.16 (d, 2H, J=9.0 Hz); 9.10 (d, 2H, J=9.0 Hz); 8.18 (s, 1H); 8.17 (s, 1H); 8.08 (d, 1H, J=9.0 Hz); 7.45-7.39 (m, 10H); 7.30 (d, 2H, J=8.0 Hz); 7.22 (d, 1H, J=9.0 Hz); 7.09-7.02 (m, 8H); 2.68 (m, 2H); 1.76 (m, 8H); 1.38 (d, 24H, J=7.0 Hz); 1.07 (d, 12H, J=6.5 Hz); 0.75 (m, 36H) ppm;

UV-Vis (CHCl₃): λ_(max)(O)=639 (69700), 424 (8100), 394 (8200) nm (M⁻¹cm⁻¹);

Fluorescence (CHCl₃): λ_(max)=730 nm (excitation 650 nm);

MS (FD): m/z (rel. int.)=1499.8 (100%) [M⁺].

Example 4 1,6,9,14-Tetra[4-(1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl)phenoxy]-3-bromoterrylene If and 1,6,9,14-tetra[4-(1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl)phenoxy]-3,11-dibromoterrylene If″

0.9 g (5.04 mmol) of N-bromosuccinimide and 0.05 g (0.17 mmol) of iron(III) bromide were added to a mixture, stirred under nitrogen, of 0.25 g (0.21 mmol) of Id′ and 25 ml of dimethylformamide. The mixture was then heated to 40° C. and stirred at this temperature for 1 h. The reaction product was precipitated in a water/hydrochloric acid mixture (80 ml/20 g), filtered off, washed with hot water and dried at 75° C. under reduced pressure. The crude product was subjected to a column filtration on silica gel with a chloroform/ethyl acetate mixture (90:10).

0.05 g (19%) of If′ was obtained in the form of a violet solid, and also 0.07 g (25%) of If″ in the form of a violet solid, which corresponds to a total yield of 44%.

Analytical Data of If′:

MS (FD): m/z (rel. int.)=1351.5 (100%) [M⁺].

Analytical Data of If″:

MS (FD): m/z (rel. int.)=1272.4 (100%) [M⁺].

Example 5 1,6,9,14-Tetra[4-(1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl)phenoxy]-11-bromoterrylene-3,4-dicarboxylic anhydride Ih′

A mixture of 0.13 g (0.09 mmol) of Ie′ and 20 ml of tert-butanol was heated to 55° C. After 0.5 h, 0.15 g (2.7 mmol) of potassium hydroxide and 0.15 g (2.7 mmol) of potassium fluoride were added. The mixture was then heated to gentle reflux (about 80° C.) and stirred at this temperature for 16 h. The thin-layer chromatography analysis of a sample with toluene showed only a trace of unconverted reactant. The mixture was then acidified with 50% by weight acetic acid and stirred at 80° C. for another 2 h. The reaction product was precipitated in water, filtered off, washed with hot water and dried at 100° C. under reduced pressure. The crude product was subjected to column chromatography on silica gel with chloroform as the eluent.

0.09 g of Ih′ was obtained in the form of a blue solid, which corresponds to a yield of 75%.

Analytical Data of Ich′:

UV-Vis (CHCl₃): λ_(max)(ε) 650 (43000), 423 (6000), 399 (6700) nm (M⁻¹cm⁻¹);

MS (FD): m/z (rel. int.)=1340.7 (100%) [M⁺].

Example 6 N-(2,6-Diisopropylphenyl)-1,6,9,14-tetra[4-(1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl)phenoxy]-11-(4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-1,3,2-dioxaboran-2-yl)terrylene-3,4-dicarboximide Ii′

0.13 g (0.50 mmol) of bis(pinacolato)diborane, 0.08 g (0.8 mmol) of sodium acetate and 0.08 g (0.10 mmol) of [1,1′-bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene]palladium(II) chloride were added successively to a solution of 0.3 g (0.2 mmol) of 1e′ in 10 ml of toluene in a 50 ml Schlenk tube. The mixture was then heated to 70° C. under argon and kept at this temperature overnight. After cooling to room temperature, the product was extracted with methylene chloride and washed with water. The solvent was then distilled off. The solid residue was subjected to a column filtration on silica gel with a chloroform/hexane mixture (2:1) as the eluent. 0.23 g of Ii′ was obtained in the form of a blue solid, which corresponds to a yield of 75%.

Analytical Data of Ii′:

¹H-NMR (500 MHz, CD₂Cl₂, 25° C.): δ=9.39 (d, 1H, J=9.0 Hz); 9.36 (d, 1H, J=9.0 Hz); 9.14 (d, 2H, J=9.0 Hz); 8.67 (d, 1H, J=9.0 Hz); 8.18 (s, 1H); 8.15 (s, 1H); 7.50-7.35 (m, 10H); 7.29 (d, 2H, J=7.5 Hz); 7.19 (d, 1H, J=9.0 Hz); 7.07 (m, 4H); 7.02 (m, 4H); 2.68 (m, 2H); 1.73 (m, 8H); 1.36 (d, 24H, J=11.0 Hz); 1.26 (s, 12H); 1.08 (m, 12H); 0.72 (d, 36H, J=24.0 Hz) ppm;

UV-Vis (CHCl₃): λ_(max)=645, 424, 396 nm;

Fluorescence (CHCl₃): λ_(max)=750 nm (excitation 660 nm);

MS (FD): m/z (rel. int.)=1547.9 (100%) [M⁺].

Example 7

A mixture of 0.33 g (0.22 mmol) of Ia′, 0.03 g (0.27 mmol) of o-phenylenediamine, 0.05 g (0.27 mmol) of zinc acetate dihydrate and 30 ml of quinoline was stirred under nitrogen for 10 min, then heated to 220° C. and stirred at this temperature for 2 h. After cooling to room temperature, the reaction product was precipitated by adding 200 ml of 5% by weight hydrochloric acid, filtered off, washed to neutrality with water and dried at 70° C. under reduced pressure. The crude product was subjected to a column filtration on silica gel with chloroform as the eluent.

0.30 g of Io′ was obtained in the form of a blue-green solid, which corresponds to a yield of 87%.

Analytical Data of Io′:

UV-Vis (H₂SO₄): λ_(max)(ε)=747 (42100), 701 (45900) nm (M⁻¹cm⁻¹);

MS (FD): m/z (rel. int.)=1564.9 (100%) [M⁺].

Example 8 N-(2,6-Diisopropylphenyl)-1,6,11,16-tetra[4-(1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl)phenoxy]quaterrylene-3,4:13,14-tetracarboxylic monoimide monoanhydride Ia′ and 1,6,11,16-tetra[4-(1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl)phenoxy]quaterrylene-3,4:13,14-tetracarboxylic dianhydride Ib″

A mixture of 5.0 g (2.8 mmol) of N,N′-di(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)-1,6,11,16-tetra[4-(1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl)phenoxy]quaterrylene-3,4:13,14-tetracarboximide II″, 7.2 g (112.5 mmol) of potassium hydroxide and 250 ml of tert-butanol was heated to 80° C. and stirred at this temperature for 7 h. After checking the completeness of conversion by thin-layer chromatography, the reaction mixture was admixed at 75° C. within 20 min with a solution of 33.8 g of glacial acetic acid in 170 ml of water (corresponds to about 17% by weight of acetic acid), then heated to about 90° C. and stirred at this temperature for another 4 h. The reaction product was precipitated by adding 250 ml of water, filtered off at 50° C., washed first with hot water and then repeatedly with methanol, and dried at 60° C. under reduced pressure. The crude product was subjected to column chromatography on silica gel first with toluene and then with acetone as the eluent.

1.92 g (40%) of Ia″ were obtained in the form of a green solid, and also 1.26 g (31%) of Ib″ in the form of a green solid, which corresponds to a total yield of 70%.

An analogous procedure, but with hydrolysis with 50% by weight acetic acid, afforded 0.51 g (10%) of Ia″ and 2.85 g (70%) of Ib″, which corresponds to a total yield of 80%.

Analytical Data of Ia″:

¹H-NMR (500 MHz, CD₂Cl₂, 25° C.): δ=9.0 (s, 2H); 8.75 (s, 2H); 8.12 (s, 2H); 7.7 (s, 3H); 7.45-7.43 (m, 13H); 7.1 (d, 6H); 6.7 (d, 4H); 2.70 (m, 2H); 1.76 (d, 8H); 1.40 (d, 24); 1.02 (d, 12H); 0.75 (d, 36H) ppm;

UV-Vis (CHCl₃): λ_(max)=784, 718, 384 nm;

MS (FD): m/z (rel. int.)=1617 (100%) [M⁺].

Analytical Data for Ib″:

¹H-NMR (500 MHz, CD₂Cl₂, 25° C.): δ=9.5 (s, 4H); 8.45 (s, 4H); 8.1 (s, 4H); 7.45 (d, 8H); 7.10 (d, 8H); 1.78 (d, 8H); 1.41 (s, 24H); 0.78 (s, 36H) ppm;

UV-Vis (CHCl₃): λ_(max)=790, 720 nm;

MS (FD): m/z (rel. int.)=1457 (100%) [M⁺].

Example 9 N-(2,6-Diisopropylphenyl)-1,6,11,16-tetra[4-(1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl)phenoxy]quaterrylene-3,4-dicarboximide Ic″ and 1,6,11,16-tetra[4-(1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl)-phenoxy]quaterrylene Id″

0.4 g (2.7 mmol) of copper(I) oxide was added to a mixture, stirred under nitrogen, of 4.4 g of a reaction mixture which was obtained analogously to Example 8 and consists substantially of Ia″ and Ib″, and 50 ml of quinoline. The mixture was then heated to 210° C. and stirred at this temperature for 1 h. After cooling to room temperature, addition of 200 ml of 1 M hydrochloric acid to precipitate the reaction product, reheating to 60° C. and stirring at this temperature for 1 hour, the reaction product was filtered off, washed with hot water and then dissolved in methylene chloride. The resulting solution was dried over magnesium sulfate, removed from it and concentrated. The crude product was dissolved in toluene and fractionated by chromatography on silica gel. The resulting fractions were concentrated on a rotary evaporator and dried at 70° C. under reduced pressure.

1.55 g (36% based on the II″ used in Example 8) of Ic″ were obtained in the form of a green solid, and also 1.25 g (34% based on the II″ used in Example 8) of Id″ in the form of a blue solid, which corresponds to a total yield of 70% based on the II″ used in Example 8.

Analytical Data of Ic″:

¹H-NMR (500 MHz, CD₂Cl₂, 25° C.): δ=9.35 (d, 2H); 9.2 (d, 2H); 8.25 (d, 2H); 8.15 (s, 2H); 8.12 (d, 2H); 7.9 (s, 2H); 7.5 (m, 9H); 7.25 (d, 2H); 7.15 (dd, 8H); 2.70 (m, 2H); 1.76 (d, 8H); 1.40 (d, 24); 1.02 (d, 12H); 0.75 (d, 36H) ppm;

UV-Vis (CHCl₃): λ_(max)=738, 430, 352 nm;

MS (FD): m/z (rel. int.)=1545 (100%) [M⁺].

Analytical Data of Id″:

UV-Vis (CHCl₃): λ_(max)=660, 604, 558 nm;

MS (FD): m/z (rel. int.)=1317 (100%) [M⁺].

Example 10 N-(2,6-Diisopropylphenyl)-1,6,11,16-tetra[4-(1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl)phenoxy]-13-chloroquaterrylene-3,4-dicarboximide Ie″

0.1 g (0.5 mmol) of N-bromosuccinimide and 0.002 g (0.01 mmol) of iron(III) chloride were added to a mixture, stirred under nitrogen, of 0.2 g (0.12 mmol) of Ic″ and 10 ml of dimethylformamide. The mixture was then heated to 60° C. and stirred at this temperature for 1 h. After cooling to room temperature, the reaction product was precipitated into 100 ml of 1 M sodium hydroxide solution and extracted from the precipitate with methyl tert-butyl ether. The organic phase was dried over magnesium sulfate, removed from it and concentrated. The product was dissolved in methylene chloride and freed of impurities by filtration on silica gel.

0.08 g of Ie″ was obtained in the form of a green solid, which corresponds to a yield of 42%.

Analytical Data of Ie″:

¹H-NMR (500 MHz, CD₂Cl₂, 25° C.): δ=9.05 (d, 2H); 8.75 (d, 1H); 8.65 (d, 1H); 8.19 (s, 1H); 8.14 (s, 1H); 7.9 (s, 2H); 7.5 (m, 9H); 7.25 (d, 2H); 7.15 (dd, 1H); 2.70 (m, 2H); 1.76 (d, 8H); 1.40 (d, 24); 1.02 (d, 12H); 0.75 (d, 36H) ppm;

UV-Vis (CHCl₃): λ_(max)=676, 742 nm;

MS (FD): m/z (rel. int.)=1580 (100%) [M⁺].

Example 11 1,6,11,16-Tetra[4-(1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl)phenoxy]quaterrylene-3,4-dicarboxylic anhydride Ig′

A mixture of 5.0 g (3.2 mmol) of Ic″, 7.2 g (112.5 mmol) of potassium hydroxide and 250 ml of tert-butanol was heated to 80° C. and stirred at this temperature for 7 h. After checking the completeness of conversion by thin-layer chromatography, the reaction mixture was admixed at 75° C. within 20 min with a solution of 33.8 g of glacial acetic acid in 170 ml of water (corresponds to about 17% by weight acetic acid), then heated to about 90° C. and stirred at this temperature for another 4 h. The reaction product was precipitated by adding 250 ml of water, filtered off at 50° C., washed first with hot water and then repeatedly with methanol, and dried at 60° C. under reduced pressure. The crude product was subjected to column chromatography on silica gel with chloroform as the eluent.

2.6 g of Ig′ were obtained in the form of a green solid, which corresponds to a yield of 60%.

Analytical Data of Ig′:

UV-Vis (CHCl₃): λ_(max)=628, 687 nm;

MS (FD): m/z (rel. int.)=1317 (100%) [M⁺].

Example 12

A mixture of 1.0 g (0.68 mmol) of Ib″, 0.4 g (2.4 mmol) of 1,8-diaminonaphthalene, 0.2 g (1.3 mmol) of zinc acetate dihydrate and 20 ml of quinoline was stirred under nitrogen for 10 min, then heated to 220° C. and stirred at this temperature for 4 h. After checking the completeness of conversion by thin-layer chromatography and cooling to room temperature, the reaction product was precipitated by adding 200 ml of 5% by weight hydrochloric acid, filtered off, washed to neutrality with water and dried at 70° C. under reduced pressure.

1.1 g of the cis/trans isomer mixture Im′_(cis) and Im′_(trans) were obtained, which corresponds to a yield of 98%.

Analytical Data:

UV-Vis (H₂SO₄): λ_(max)=962 nm;

MS (FD): m/z (rel. int.)=1700 (100%) [M⁺].

Example 13

A mixture of 0.5 g (0.34 mmol) of Ib″, 0.04 g (0.37 mmol) of o-phenylenediamine, 0.06 g (0.37 mmol) of zinc acetate dihydrate and 20 ml of quinoline was stirred under nitrogen for 10 min, then heated to 215° C. and stirred at this temperature for 2 h. After cooling to room temperature, the reaction product was precipitated by adding 200 ml of 5% by weight hydrochloric acid, filtered off, washed to neutrality with water and dried at 70° C. under reduced pressure.

0.15 g of In′ was obtained, which corresponds to a yield of 30%.

Analytical Data:

UV-Vis (H₂SO₄): λ_(max)=733, 791 nm;

MS (FD): m/z (rel. int.)=1528 (100%) [M⁺]. 

1: A rylene derivative of the general formula I

in which the variables are each defined as follows: X are joined to one another with formation of a six-membered ring to give a radical of the formula (a), (b) or (c)

are both a —COOM radical; are both hydrogen or one of the two radicals is hydrogen and the other radical is halogen or a radical of the formula (d)

Y are joined to one another with formation of a six-membered ring to give a radical of the formula (a) when one of the two X radicals is hydrogen and the other X radical is halogen or a radical of the formula (d) or when both X radicals are hydrogen or together are a radical of the formula (a), (b) or (c); are joined to one another with formation of a six-membered ring to give a radical of the formula (b) when one of the two X radicals is hydrogen and the other X radical is halogen or a radical of the formula (d) or when both X radicals are hydrogen or a —COOM radical or together are a radical of the formula (c); are joined to one another with formation of a six-membered ring to give a radical of the formula (c) when one of the two X radicals is hydrogen and the other X radical is halogen or a radical of the formula (d) or when both X radicals are hydrogen or a —COOM radical or together are a radical of the formula (c) which may be arranged in the cis or trans position to the other (c) radical; are both a —COOM radical when one of the two X radicals is hydrogen and the other X radical is halogen or a radical of the formula (d) or when both X radicals are hydrogen or a —COOM radical, M being different from hydrogen in the case that one X radical is a radical of the formula (d); are both hydrogen or one of the two radicals is hydrogen and the other radical is halogen or a radical of the formula (d) when both X radicals are hydrogen or one of the two X radicals is hydrogen and the other X radical is halogen or a radical of the formula (d); R are identical or different radicals: aryloxy, arylthio, hetaryloxy or hetarylthio, to each of which may be fused further saturated or unsaturated 5- to 7-membered rings whose carbon skeleton may be interrupted by one or more —O—, —S—, —NR¹—, —N═CR¹—, —CO—, —SO— and/or —SO₂— moieties, where the entire ring system may be mono- or polysubstituted by the (i), (ii), (iii), (iv) and/or (v) radicals: (i) C₁-C₃₀-alkyl whose carbon chain may be interrupted by one or more —O—, —S—, —NR¹—, —N═CR¹—, —C≡C—, —CR¹═CR¹—, —CO—, —SO— and/or —SO₂— moieties and which may be mono- or polysubstituted by: C₁-C₁₂-alkoxy, C₁-C₆-alkylthio, —C≡CR¹, —CR¹═CR¹ ₂, hydroxyl, mercapto, halogen, cyano, nitro, —NR²R³, —NR²COR³, —CONR²R³, —SO₂NR²R³, —COOR², —SO₃R², —PR²R³, —POR²R³, aryl and/or saturated or unsaturated C₄-C₇-cycloalkyl whose carbon skeleton may be interrupted by one or more —O—, —S—, —NR¹—, —N═CR¹—, —CR¹═CR¹—, —CO—, —SO— and/or —SO₂— moieties, where the aryl and cycloalkyl radicals may each be mono- or polysubstituted by C₁-C₁₈-alkyl and/or the above radicals specified as substituents for alkyl; (ii) C₃-C₈-cycloalkyl whose carbon skeleton may be interrupted by one or more —O—, —S—, —NR¹—, —N═CR¹—, —CR¹═CR¹—, —CO—, —SO— and/or —SO₂— moieties and to which may be fused further saturated or unsaturated 5- to 7-membered rings whose carbon skeleton may be interrupted by one or more —O—, —S—, —NR¹—, —N═CR¹—, —CR¹═CR¹—, —CO—, —SO— and/or —SO₂— moieties, where the entire ring system may be mono- or polysubstituted by: C₁-C₁₈-alkyl, C₁-C₁₂-alkoxy, C₁-C₆-alkylthio, —C≡CR¹, —CR¹═CR¹ ₂, hydroxyl, mercapto, halogen, cyano, nitro, —NR²R³, —NR²COR³, —CONR²R³, —SO₂NR²R³, —COOR², —SO₃R², —PR²R³ and/or —POR²R³; (iii) aryl or hetaryl to which may be fused further saturated or unsaturated 5- to 7-membered rings whose carbon skeleton may be interrupted by one or more —O—, —S—, —NR¹—, —N═CR¹—, —CR¹═CR¹—, —CO—, —SO— and/or —SO₂— moieties, where the entire ring system may be mono- or polysubstituted by: C₁-C₁₈-alkyl, C₁-C₁₂-alkoxy, C₁-C₆-alkylthio, —C≡CR¹, —CR¹═CR¹ ₂, hydroxyl, mercapto, halogen, cyano, nitro, —NR²R³, —NR²COR³, —CONR²R³, —SO₂NR²R³, —COOR², —SO₃R², —PR²R³, —POR²R³, aryl and/or hetaryl, each of which may be mono- or polysubstituted by C₁-C₁₈-alkyl, C₁-C₁₂-alkoxy, hydroxyl, mercapto, halogen, cyano, nitro, —NR²R³, —NR²COR³, —CONR²R³, —SO₂NR²R³, —COOR², —SO₃R₂, —PR²R³ and/or —POR²R³; (iv) a —U-aryl radical which may be mono- or polysubstituted by the above radicals specified as substituents for the aryl radicals (iii), where U is a —O—, —S—, —NR¹—, —CO—, —SO— or —SO₂— moiety; (v) C₁-C₁₂-alkoxy, C₁-C₆-alkylthio, —C≡CR¹, —CR¹═CR¹ ₂, hydroxyl, mercapto, halogen, cyano, nitro, —NR²R³, —NR²COR³, —CONR²R³, —SO₂NR²R³, —COOR², —SO₃R², —PR²R³ and/or —POR²R³; R′ is hydrogen; C₁-C₃₀-alkyl whose carbon chain may be interrupted by one or more —O—, —S—, —NR¹—, —N═CR¹—, —C≡C—, —CR¹═CR¹—, —CO—, —SO— and/or —SO₂— moieties and which may be mono- or polysubstituted by the (ii), (iii), (iv) and/or (v) radicals specified as substituents for the R radicals; C₃-C₈-cycloalkyl to which may be fused further saturated or unsaturated 5- to 7-membered rings whose carbon skeleton may be interrupted by one or more —O—, —S—, —NR¹—, —N═CR¹—, —CR¹═CR¹—, —CO—, —SO— and/or —SO₂— moieties, where the entire ring system may be mono- or polysubstituted by the (i), (ii), (iii), (iv) and/or (v) radicals specified as substituents for the R radicals; aryl or hetaryl to which may be fused further saturated or unsaturated 5- to 7-membered rings whose carbon skeleton may be interrupted by one or more —O—, —S—, —NR¹—, —N═CR¹—, —CR¹═CR¹—, —CO—, —SO— and/or —SO₂— moieties, where the entire ring system may be mono- or polysubstituted by the (i), (ii), (iii), (iv), (v) radicals specified as substituents for the R radicals, and/or aryl- and/or hetarylazo, each of which may be mono- or polysubstituted by C₁-C₁₀-alkyl, C₁-C₆-alkoxy and/or cyano; A is in each case independently phenylene, naphthylene or pyridylene, each of which may be mono- or polysubstituted by C₁-C₁₂-alkyl, C₁-C₆-alkoxy, hydroxyl, nitro and/or halogen; M is hydrogen, ammonium or alkali metal cation; R″ is in each case independently hydrogen, C₁-C₃₀-alkyl, C₅-C₈-cycloalkyl, aryl or hetaryl or, joined together with formation of a 5- to 7-membered ring which comprises the two oxygen atoms and also the boron atom, to which may be fused unsaturated or saturated rings and which may be substituted on the carbon atoms by up to 4 C₁-C₃₀-alkyl, C₅-C₈-cycloalkyl, aryl and/or hetaryl groups; R¹ is hydrogen or C₁-C₁₈-alkyl, where the R¹ radicals may be the same or different when they occur more than once; R², R³ are each independently hydrogen; C₁-C₁₈-alkyl whose carbon chain may be interrupted by one or more —O—, —S—, —CO—, —SO— and/or —SO₂— moieties and which may be mono- or polysubstituted by C₁-C₁₂-alkoxy, C₁-C₆-alkylthio, hydroxyl, mercapto, halogen, cyano, nitro and/or —COOR¹; aryl or hetaryl to each of which may be fused further saturated or unsaturated 5- to 7-membered rings whose carbon skeleton may be interrupted by one or more —O—, —S—, —CO— and/or —SO₂— moieties, where the entire ring system may be mono- or polysubstituted by C₁-C₁₂-alkyl and/or the above radicals specified as substituents for alkyl; m is 1 or 2; n is from 3 to 6 where m=1; is from 2 to 8 where m=2, and mixtures thereof. 2: The rylene derivative of the general formula I according to claim 1 in which the variables are each defined as follows: R is aryloxy, arylthio, hetaryloxy or hetarylthio, each of which may be mono- or polysubstituted by the following radicals: (i) C₁-C₃₀-alkyl whose carbon chain may be interrupted by one or more —O—, —S—, —NR¹—, —CO— and/or —SO₂— moieties and which may be mono- or polysubstituted by: C₁-C₆-alkoxy, halogen, cyano and/or aryl which may be mono- or polysubstituted by C₁-C₁₈-alkyl or C₁-C₆-alkoxy; (ii) aryl or hetaryl, to each of which may be fused further 5- to 7-membered saturated or unsaturated rings whose carbon skeleton may be interrupted by one or more —O—, —S—, —NR¹—, —CO— and/or —SO₂— moieties, where the entire ring system may be mono- or polysubstituted by: C₁-C₁₈-alkyl, C₁-C₁₈-alkoxy, halogen, cyano, —NR²R³, —CONR²R³, —SO₂NR²R³, aryl and/or hetaryl, each of which may be mono- or polysubstituted by C₁-C₁₈-alkyl, C₁-C₁₈-alkoxy and/or cyano; (iii) C₁-C₁₂-alkoxy, hydroxyl, halogen, cyano, —NR²COR³, —CONR²R³ and/or —SO₂NR²R³; R′ is hydrogen; C₁-C₃₀-alkyl whose carbon chain may be interrupted by one or more —O— and/or —CO— moieties and which may be mono- or polysubstituted by: C₁-C₆-alkoxy, cyano and/or aryl which may be mono- or polysubstituted by C₁-C₁₈-alkyl or C₁-C₆-alkoxy; C₅-C₈-cycloalkyl which may be mono- or polysubstituted by C₁-C₁₂-alkyl; phenyl, naphthyl, pyridyl or pyrimidyl, each of which may be mono- or polysubstituted by: C₁-C₁₈-alkyl, C₁-C₆-alkoxy, halogen, cyano, nitro, —CONR²R³, —SO₂NR²R³, and/or phenyl- and/or naphthylazo, each of which may be mono- or polysubstituted by C₁-C₁₀-alkyl, C₁-C₆-alkoxy and/or cyano; R¹ is hydrogen or C₁-C₆-alkyl; R², R³ are each independently hydrogen; C₁-C₁₈-alkyl which may be mono- or polysubstituted by C₁-C₆-alkoxy, hydroxyl, halogen and/or cyano; aryl or hetaryl, each of which may be mono- or polysubstituted by C₁-C₆-alkyl and/or the above radicals specified as substituents for alkyl, and mixtures thereof. 3: The rylene derivative of the general formula I according to claim 1 in which the variables are each defined as follows: R is phenoxy, phenylthio, pyridyloxy, pyrimidyloxy, pyridylthio or pyrimidyl-thio, each of which may be mono- or polysubstituted by C₁-C₁₂-alkyl, C₁-C₁₂-alkoxy and/or aryl; R′ is hydrogen; C₁-C₃₀-alkyl whose carbon chain may be interrupted by one or more —O— and/or —CO— moieties and which may be mono- or polysubstituted by: C₁-C₆-alkoxy, cyano and/or aryl which may be mono- or polysubstituted by C₁-C₁₈-alkyl or C₁-C₆-alkoxy; phenyl, naphthyl, pyridyl or pyrimidyl, each of which may be mono or polysubstituted by: C₁-C₁₈-alkyl, C₁-C₆-alkoxy, halogen, cyano, nitro, —CONR²R³, —SO₂NR²R³, and/or phenyl- and/or naphthylazo, each of which may be mono- or polysubstituted by C₁-C₁₀-alkyl, C₁-C₆-alkoxy and/or cyano; C₅-C₈-cycloalkyl which may be mono- or polysubstituted by C₁-C₆-alkyl; A is 1,2-phenylene or 1,8-naphthylene; M is an alkali metal cation; R″ is hydrogen, C₁-C₅-alkyl or pinacolato; R¹ is hydrogen or C₁-C₆-alkyl; R², R³ are each independently hydrogen; C₁-C₁₈-alkyl which may be mono- or polysubstituted by C₁-C₆-alkoxy, hydroxyl, halogen and/or cyano; aryl or hetaryl each of which may be mono- or polysubstituted by C₁-C₆-alkyl and/or the above radicals specified as substituents for alkyl; m is 1 or 2; n is 4 when m=1; 4 or 6 when m=2. 4: A process for preparing rylenetetracarboxylic monoimide monoanhydrides of the general formula Ia

in which the variables are each as defined in claim 1, which comprises a) subjecting a rylenetetracarboximide of the general formula II

to a hydrolysis under alkaline conditions in the presence of a polar organic solvent and removing the rylenetetracarboxylic monoimide monoanhydride Ia from the rylenetetracarboxylic dianhydride Ib which is likewise formed

or b) hydrolyzing the rylenetetracarboximide II by use of mild reaction conditions directly, substantially singly, to the rylenetetracarboxylic monoimide monoanhydride Ia. 5: A process for preparing rylenetetracarboxylic dianhydrides of the general formula Ib

in which the variables are each as defined in claim 1, which comprises a) subjecting a rylenetetracarboximide of the general formula II

in which the R′ radicals are each as defined in claim 1 to a hydrolysis under alkaline conditions in the presence of a polar organic solvent and removing the rylenetetracarboxylic dianhydride Ib from the rylenetetracarboxylic monoimide monoanhydride Ia which is likewise formed

or b) hydrolyzing the rylenetetracarboximide II by use of more severe reaction conditions directly, substantially on both sides, to the rylenetetracarboxylic dianhydride Ib. 6: A process for preparing rylenedicarboximides of the general formula Ic

in which the variables are each as defined in claim 1, which comprises a) subjecting a rylenetetracarboxylic monoimide monoanhydride of the general formula Ia

or b) subjecting the mixture, obtained in the alkaline hydrolysis of a rylenetetracarboximide of the general formula II

of rylenetetracarboxylic monoimide monoanhydride Ia and rylenetetracarboxylic dianhydride Ib

to a decarboxylation in the presence of a tertiary nitrogen-basic compound as a solvent and of a transition metal catalyst, and, in case b), separating the rylenedicarboximide Ic from the fully decarboxylated rylene Id which likewise forms. 7: A process for preparing rylenes of the general formula Id

in which the variables are each as defined in claim 1, which comprises a) subjecting a rylenetetracarboxylic dianhydride of the general formula Ib

or b) subjecting the mixture, obtained in the alkaline hydrolysis of a rylenetetracarboximide of the general formula II

in which the R′ radicals are each as defined in claim 1, of rylenetetracarboxylic monoimide monoanhydride Ia

and rylenetetracarboxylic dianhydride Ib to a decarboxylation in the presence of a tertiary nitrogen-basic compound as a solvent and of a transition metal catalyst, and, in case b), separating the rylene Id from the rylenedicarboximide Ic which likewise forms

8: A process for preparing peri-halogenated rylenedicarboximides of the general formula Ie

in which Hal is halogen and the further variables are each as defined in claim 1, which comprises a) reacting a rylenedicarboximide of the general formula Ic

or b) reacting the mixture of rylenedicarboximide Ic and rylene Id

which is obtained in the decarboxylation of the mixture, obtained in the alkaline hydrolysis of the rylenetetracarboximide of the general formula II

of rylenetetracarboxylic monoimide monoanhydride Ia

and rylenetetracarboxylic dianhydride Ib,

in the presence of a polar organic solvent and if desired of a Lewis acid as a catalyst, with from 1 to 6 mol of N-halosuccinimide per halogen atom to be introduced, and, in case b), separating the peri-halogenated rylenedicarboximide Ie from the likewise halogenated rylene If

9: A process for preparing halogenated rylenes of the general formula If

in which Hal is halogen, Z¹ and Z² are each hydrogen or one of the two Z¹ and Z² radicals is halogen and the other radical is hydrogen, and the further variables are each as defined in claim 1, which comprises a) reacting a rylene of the general formula Id

in the presence of a polar organic solvent and of a Lewis acid as a catalyst a1) directly with the amount, required to introduce the total number of halogen atoms desired, of from 1 to 6 mol of N-halosuccinimide per halogen atom to be introduced or a2) first with from 1 to 3 mol/mol of N-halosuccinimide to give the monohalogenated rylene If (Z¹=Z²=H) and then with a further from 1 to 6 mol/mol of N-halosuccinimide to give the dihalogenated rylene If (Z¹ or Z²=halogen) or b) reacting the mixture of rylenedicarboximide Ic

and rylene Id which is obtained in the decarboxylation of the mixture, obtained in the alkaline hydrolysis of the rylenetetracarboximide of the general formula II

in which the R′ radicals are each as defined in claim 1, of rylenetetracarboxylic monoimide monoanhydride Ia

and rylenetetracarboxylic dianhydride Ib,

in the presence of a polar organic solvent and of a Lewis acid as a catalyst b1) directly with the amount, required to introduce the total number of halogen atoms desired, of from 1 to 6 mol of N-halosuccinimide per halogen atom to be introduced or b2) first with from 1 to 3 mol of N-halosuccinimide per mole of Ic and Id and separating the monohalogenated rylene If (Z¹=Z²=H) from the peri-halogenated rylenedicarboximide Ie which is likewise formed and then reacting with a further from 1 to 6 mol/mol of N-halosuccinimide per mole to give the dihalogenated rylene If (Z¹ or Z²=halogen). 10: A process for preparing rylenedicarboxylic anhydrides of the general formula Igh

in which Z is hydrogen or halogen and the further variables are each as defined in claim 1, which comprises subjecting a rylenedicarboximide of the general formula Ice

in which R′ is as defined in claim 1 to a hydrolysis under alkaline conditions in the presence of a polar organic solvent. 11: A process for preparing peri-halogenated rylenedicarboxylic anhydrides of the general formula Ih

in which Hal is halogen and the further variables are each as defined in claim 1, which comprises reacting a rylenedicarboxylic anhydride of the general formula Ig

with N-halosuccinimide in the presence of a polar organic solvent and of a Lewis acid. 12: A process for preparing peri-(dioxaborolan-2-yl)rylenedicarboximides of the general formula II

in which the variables are each as defined in claim 1, which comprises reacting a peri-halogenated rylenedicarboximide of the general formula Ie

in which Hal is halogen, in the presence of an aprotic organic solvent, of a transition metal catalyst and of a base, with a diborane of the general formula III

13: A process for preparing substituted rylenes of the general formula Ij

in which D¹ and D² are each hydrogen or one of the two D¹ and D² radicals is halogen or a radical of the formula (d)

and the other radical is hydrogen and the further variables are each as defined in claim 1, which comprises a) to prepare mono(dioxaborolan-2-yl)rylenes Ij (D¹=D²=H), reacting a halorylene of the general formula If

in which Z¹ and Z² are each hydrogen, or b) to prepare bis(dioxaborolan-2-yl-)rylenes Ij (one of the two D¹ and D² radicals is a (d) radical and the other radical is hydrogen) or mixed-substituted rylenes Ij (one of the two D¹ and D² radicals is halogen and the other radical is hydrogen), reacting a halorylene of the formula If

in which one of the two Z¹ and Z² radicals is halogen and the other radical is hydrogen, in the presence of an aprotic organic solvent, of a transition metal catalyst and of a base, with the amount, required to introduce the total number of dioxaborolan-2-yl radicals desired, of from 1 to 3 mol, or, in the case of the mixed-substituted rylenes Ij, from 1 to 1.5 mol, of a diborane of the general formula III

per mole of dioxaborolan-2-yl radical to be introduced. 14: A process for preparing peri-(dioxaborolan-2-yl)rylenedicarboxylic anhydrides of the general formula Ik

in which the variables are each as defined in claim 1, which comprises reacting a peri-halogenated rylenedicarboxylic anhydride of the general formula Ih

in which Hal is halogen, in the presence of an aprotic organic solvent, of a transition metal catalyst and of a base, with a diborane of the general formula III

15: A process for preparing symmetrical rylenetetracarboxylic acid derivatives of the general formula Im_(cis) or Im_(trans)

in which the variables are each as defined in claim 1, where the two A radicals are identical, or a mixture of the two isomers, which comprises condensing a rylenetetracarboxylic dianhydride of the general formula Ib

in the presence of a nitrogen-basic compound or of phenol as a solvent and of a Lewis acid, or of piperazine as a catalyst, with from 2 to 3 mol/mol of an aromatic diamine of the general formula IV H₂N-A-NH₂  IV 16: A process for preparing unsymmetrical rylenetetracarboxylic acid derivatives of the general formula Im′_(cis) or Im′_(trans)

in which the variables are each as defined in claim 1, where the A and A′ radicals are different, or a mixture of the two isomers, which comprises condensing a rylenetetracarboxylic dianhydride of the general formula Ib

in the presence of a nitrogen-basic compound or of phenol as a solvent and of a Lewis acid or of piperazine as a catalyst, first with from 1 to 1.5 mol/mol of an aromatic diamine of the general formula IV H₂N-A-NH₂  IV and then with from 1 to 1.5 mol/mol of an aromatic diamine of the general formula IV′ H₂N-A′—NH₂  IV′. 17: A process for preparing rylenetetracarboxylic acid derivatives of the general formula In

in which the variables are each as defined in claim 1, which comprises condensing a rylenetetracarboxylic dianhydride of the general formula Ib

in the presence of a nitrogen-basic compound or of phenol as a solvent and of a Lewis acid or of piperazine as a catalyst, with from 1 to 1.5 mol/mol of an aromatic diamine of the general formula IV H₂N-A-NH₂  IV. 18: A process for preparing rylenetetracarboxylic acid derivatives of the general formula Io

in which the variables are each as defined in claim 1, which comprises condensing a rylenetetracarboxylic monoimide monoanhydride of the general formula Ia

in the presence of a nitrogen-basic compound or of phenol as a solvent and of a Lewis acid or of piperazine as a catalyst, with from 1 to 1.5 mol/mol of an aromatic diamine of the general formula IV H₂N-A-NH₂  IV. 19: A process for preparing rylenedicarboxylic acid derivatives of the general formula Ip

in which the variables are each as defined in claim 1, which comprises a) subjecting a rylenetetracarboxylic acid derivative of the general formula In

to a decarboxylation in the presence of a tertiary nitrogen-basic compound and of a transition metal catalyst or b) condensing a rylenedicarboxylic anhydride of the general formula Ig

in the presence of a nitrogen-basic compound or of phenol as a solvent and of a Lewis acid or of piperazine as a catalyst, with from 1 to 1.5 mol/mol of an aromatic diamine of the general formula IV H₂N-A-NH₂  IV. 20: A process for preparing peri-halogenated rylenedicarboxylic acid derivatives of the general formula Iq

in which the variables are each as defined in claim 1, which comprises reacting a rylenedicarboxylic acid derivative of the general formula Ip

with N-halosuccinimide in the presence of a polar organic solvent and of a Lewis acid as a catalyst. 21: A process for preparing peri-(dioxaborolan-2-yl)rylenedicarboxylic acid derivatives of the general formula Ir

in which the variables are each as defined in claim 1, which comprises reacting a peri-halogenated rylenedicarboxylic acid derivative of the general formula Iq

in which Hal is halogen, in the presence of an aprotic organic solvent, of a transition metal catalyst and of a base, with a diborane of the general formula III

22: High molecular weight organic and inorganic materials colored by the rylene derivatives of the formula I according to claim
 1. 23: The high molecular weight organic and inorganic materials according to claim 22, wherein said materials are coatings, printing inks or plastics. 24: Dispersing assistants and pigment additives for organic pigments wherein the rylene derivatives of the formula I according to claim 1 are used. 25: Aqueous polymer dispersions which absorb in the near infrared region of the electromagnetic spectrum wherein the rylene derivatives of the formula I according to claim 1 are used. 26: Markings and inscriptions which absorb infrared light and are invisible to the human eye wherein the rylene derivatives of the formula I according to claim 1 are used. 27: Infrared absorbers for heat management wherein the rylene derivatives of the formula I according to claim 1 are used. 28: IR laser beam-absorbing materials in the fusion treatment of plastics parts wherein the rylene derivatives of the formula I according to claim 1 are used. 29: Semiconductors in organic electronics wherein the rylene derivatives of the formula I according to claim 1 are used. 30: Emitters in electro- and chemiluminescence applications wherein the rylene derivatives of the formula I according to claim 1 are used. 31: Active components in photovoltaics wherein the rylene derivatives of the formula I according to claim 1 are used. 